Another One for Tail Choppers - No. 14 Squadron PAF F-16A in air combat - painting by Adnan Siraj
Source: CodeOne Magazine
PAF to meet nation’s expectations, says Air Chief
By Shakil Shaikh
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s multi-role F-16s fleet will have a strength of 78 aircraft with the supply of 18 new and 26 used US Falcons in three years, as Congressional approval and $3 billion Pak-US defence deal is all set to be finalised in the near future.
“There is no guarantee but the US has given assurances to honour the new deal,†Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, said on Monday in his maiden press briefing at the Air Headquarters.
ACM Tanvir Mehmood said that Pakistan wanted 18 new F-16 C/D Block 52 after scaling down the number from 55 aircraft, with an option of another 18 Falcons along with 26 old F-16s of A/B plus the weapons and other hardware. This will cost Pakistan around $2 billion. However, he said another $1 billion will be spent on the upgradation of existing F-16 fleet of 32 aircraft plus two used aircraft arrived in the recent past.
“The new F-16s will arrive in Pakistan within three years from the date of signing of the contract and 26 used F-16s will be handed over to us within 15 to 18 months,†said the air chief. He added the deal is worth the hard-earned national money and will be spent to deter aggression although Pakistan survived even in the days of US sanctions and hostile posture of the neighbouring India and its continued build up for more than ten months.
Pakistan was originally offered 70 plus F-16s but the package was scaled down due to last October earthquake and finally the negotiations resulted in agreeing to have 18 new (with 18 optional) and 26 vintage F-16s to be decommissioned before being handed over to Pakistan. This combination is considered as the best, given the present scenario and the available opportunity. The air chief, however, admitted that the disparity of aircraft vis-a-vis India would remain one to three but the morale, training and manpower etc gave an edge to the PAF. “The F-16s were the major force behind deterring aggression, as they were kept fully operational and available throughout the critical period,†said Mehmood, who took over command of the potent force early this year.
He, however, was unable to assure the nation that this time the deal would be through at all costs. In the past the US has backed out of its promises to suit its interests in the region, he remarked.
It is learnt that the payment schedule would be very easy, as the per-bird price of old F-16s would be on the lower side with two old F-16s had already arrived. The cost of these F-16s is less than a million dollar per piece.
Mahmood dismissed media reports that some US Congressmen had criticised the deal, fearing that Pakistan might transfer F-16 technology to China. “This is all fabricated information,†he said, referring to allegations that Pakistan would pass on technology.
“We adhere to the conditions we sign. There is no such thing as equipment getting out of the country. We can give all assurances they require in this regard. There will be no transfer of technology to any one,†said Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood. He also said Pakistan would continue to pursue other options.
Source: The News
