US committed to supply F-16s despite Indian efforts to block delivery: Asif

[Muhammad Omar]

PHOTO: REUTERS

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday the United States is committed to supply eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan despite Indian efforts to block delivery.

“The Obama-led administration is committed to supply eight F-16 fighter jets despite efforts by India and former Pakistani ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani to block the delivery,” Asif said while addressing the National Assembly.

US set to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan

The defence minister’s statement comes days after reports said the US Congress has “stalled” Obama administration’s planned sale of eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. The move was stalled as lawmakers raised questions about the end use of the combat aircraft and the relationship between the two countries itself.

“Being aware of the importance of F-16 and JF-17 jets in Operation Zarb e Azb and other anti-terrorist operations, the US is committed to supply Pakistan with eight F-16 fighter jets,” the defence minister added.

In October, the Obama administration said it is preparing to sell eight new F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, an overture intended to bolster a tenuous partnership despite persistent concerns about Islamabad’s ties to elements of the Taliban and quickly expanding nuclear arsenal.

US Congress ‘stalls’ sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan

Referring to Pakistan’s involvement in Saudi Arabia’s 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, Asif said, “It is not a military alliance against any country and participation of other members is yet to be determined. The coalition is still evolving.”

Further, the minister stated that the number of cooperation agreements that Pakistan has with Saudi Arabia, it does not have the same amount with any other country.

“Pakistan is cooperating with Saudi Arabia in various sectors, including training of armed forces.”

“The two countries are currently under an agreement which includes defence cooperation, training, production of defence goods and medical training,” he said.

How can Pakistan be an effective mediator between Saudi Arabia and Iran

Currently, 1,125 officers of various ranks are in Saudi Arabia to offer training in multiple fields,” Asif told the NA session. ”It is an alliance against terrorism to highlight the real image of Muslims” he reiterated.

Addressing the query of members present in the sessions, the minister said Pakistan is working towards mending ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia on Monday to discuss the ongoing problems with Saudi leadership, who gave the premier a positive response.”

“PM Nawaz is set to visit Iran today where he will discuss the same issues with the respective leaders,” Asif stated.

 

[cloud4000]

But Pakistan wants more than 8 F-16s. Obama is only offering eight, while US Congress doesn't want to give any. Quite the pickle.

 

[GoldenRatio1618]

But Pakistan wants more than 8 F-16s. Obama is only offering eight, while US Congress doesn't want to give any. Quite the pickle.

suppliers always remain hungry to sell his product but some lobying people give different loly pop to supplier that if you do like it we will give you more benefit same story indian try to play here to give american loly pop that we are cancelling rafael and considering american jets so put Pakistani deal on hold or stall .

 

[Viper0011.]

But Pakistan wants more than 8 F-16s. Obama is only offering eight, while US Congress doesn't want to give any. Quite the pickle.

Its not a pickle. The Pentagon will probably come in when things get a little more difficult, and they'll tell the Congressmen and Senators that Pakistan needs these jets. And that should be the end of it.

Because at the end of the day, it is our men and women in Uniform, who put their lives at risk so that we can sleep better and safer at home. So if supplying a few jets to Pakistan gives us a better relationship, benefiting our military strategy and our men and women in uniform, no politician would disapprove of it. No matter how bad or strong the "lobbying" may be.

Plus, at the end of the day, the same politician realize that they do have a rocky, but yet steady relationship with Pakistan spanning over 60 years.So to make the lobbyists happy, they do these things and then tell them, sorry, they tried their best. That's why politicians are called politicians

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I thought the deal was for 40 F16

 

[Tipu7]

I thought the deal was for 40 F16

Why such thoughts come in to your mind?

Its not a pickle. The Pentagon will probably come in when things get a little more difficult, and they'll tell the Congressmen and Senators that Pakistan needs these jets. And that should be the end of it.

Because at the end of the day, it is our men and women in Uniform, who put their lives at risk so that we can sleep better and safer at home. So if supplying a few jets to Pakistan gives us a better relationship, benefiting our military strategy and our men and women in uniform, no politician would disapprove of it. No matter how bad or strong the "lobbying" may be.

Plus, at the end of the day, the same politician realize that they do have a rocky, but yet steady relationship with Pakistan spanning over 60 years.So to make the lobbyists happy, they do these things and then tell them, sorry, they tried their best. That's why politicians are called politicians

Nah......
We want 36 of them....... and we want them from Lockheed Martin, not from US politicians........

 

[Pomegranate]

suppliers always remain hungry to sell his product but some lobying people give different loly pop to supplier that if you do like it we will give you more benefit same story indian try to play here to give american loly pop that we are cancelling rafael and considering american jets so put Pakistani deal on hold or stall .

Gradually pakistan is building up Aerial supremacy over india .... and no wonder our enemies are at large in USA to stop the deal .

 

[T-72M1]

Gradually pakistan is building up Aerial supremacy over india

lol

 

[Cool_Soldier]

These 8 will be delivered after clearing all these hurdles and might be PAF will be buying more in small batches.That is the way now PAF to buy from USA.

 

[Viper0011.]

I thought the deal was for 40 F16

8 first order. 18 second and in between 12 used jets + 4 dual seater. Standard Pakistani purchase 2 squadrons and 4 dual seaters!!

 

[Tipu7]

???? Do you ever read your posts to see they may sound very silly and childish before posting?? I have no idea what you are saying. Nor do you seem to understand Lockheed won't sell you a fukking tire of an F-16, if the US law makers don't want to. I don't even know how to respond to such a naive post.

You remember it was the US law makers who decided to embargo SOLD F-16's by Lockheed and gave you guys Peanuts, instead??? Need I say more? Fools like you, live in some effing dreamland, that is everything BUT real!!

I just trolled buddy......

 

[Dalit]

Too expensive and too many strings attached. Better option is to continue to invest the money in the latest JF-17 variant or opt for a new Russian/Chinese platform.

 

[Mani2020]

Gradually pakistan is building up Aerial supremacy over india .... and no wonder our enemies are at large in USA to stop the deal .

Dude what were you thinking while posting this? High on vodka? Or too much trust on PDF armchair generals? With such crippled economy and flawed policies paf can never be technologically superior to iaf ....until n unless some drastic changes occur ....you simply don't have money to buy the things you require on the other hand India has enough money and suppliers to get what they need....
Till then best of luck trusting the words of PDF fanboys who apparently seem to have more sources of information than any intelligence agency in the world ...and if they are to be trusted as I used to say jf-17 is second to raptor paf is operating su-35 and are about to get f-35 ..pak army has oplots and what not ....

 

[Vapnope]

F-16 might be the best bang for buck aircraft but if it comes with string attached ( which it will be) it will only be waste of time and money. This deal will go through we all know it, US will attach more strings with it, India will be happy, US congress will be happy and PAF will be happy. Pakistan will be at loss in the end.

 

[ejaz007]

Delay to F-16s down to 'Indian lobby', says Pakistani defence minister
Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
21 January 2016


Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif told the lower house of parliament, the national assembly, in Islamabad on 19 January that a deal with the United States for the sale of eight new F-16 fighters had been delayed due to "an Indian lobby" as well as Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, lobbying against it.

IHS Jane's has previously reported that the agreement, which was finalised in October 2015, was being held up due to opposition from some members of the US Congress.

Asif's remarks suggested that the Pakistani government was concerned at the highest level about the delay, although he stated that "as of today" the US government was committed to supplying the F-16s, adding that delivery of the fighters could take place in another two years.

Delay to F-16s down to 'Indian lobby', says Pakistani defence minister | IHS Jane's 360