Delivery of F-16 jets to start next month
Published: Friday, 9 February, 2007, 01:08 PM Doha Time
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will start getting the latest version of US F-16 aircraft from next month, official sources said here yesterday.
The test flights of first batch of 18 F-16 Block 50/52 aircraft made for Pakistan have been initiated and they would be on their way next month.
Defence sources say that the $3bn supply of 26 F-16 aircraft (A/B embargoed version) will be completed in 2009.
Pakistan also has the option of buying another batch of brand new F-16 Block 50/52 fitted with weapon system but Islamabad has to make up its mind in this regard, sources said.
Pakistan has also acquired Awacs which would be fitted in the Swedish SAAB planes. For that, Islamabad has already made an order. The Awacs will cost $1bn. It will reach Pakistan in early 2009, well before India gets it from other sources.
Pakistan is also contemplating to obtain Chinese Jiang-10 aircraft considered to be at par with any contemporary multi-role hi-tech fighter plane of any country.
Sources said that India is planning to obtain nuclear-capable 126 modern planes from the world market. Indians are exploring Russian MIG-31, French Rafael and Mirages-2000, four European countries (UK, Germany, France and Italy) joint production Typhoon and Swedish Grippens planes.
All these planes are expensive and available on cash payment.
Gulf Times.
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