41 years ago, On 23rd December 1981, Pakistan ordered 40 F-16 fighting Falcons (6 aircraft under peace gate I & 34 under peace gate II) and becomes the 9th customer of this lethal machine.
Later, Pakistan demonstrated the effectiveness of this acquisition by shooting down Indian, Afghan, and Soviet (modern-day Russian) aircraft.
Pakistani F-16 scored 1st kill of the twenty-first century when it shot down an Indian (Israeli origin) Searcher-II UAV on 7th June 2002.
Moreover, Pakistani F-16 fighting falcons also destroyed 8 Afghan/Soviet aircraft during the Afghan War (1986-1988).
During Balakot counter-strikes, F-16s proved their worth and successfully escorted PAF strike packages and destroyed 2 Indian aircraft.
Paintings by:
- Gp Capt (R) S. M. Hussaini
- Rehan Siraj