US DOD has approved a FMS for Pakistani F16s for Sniper pods & LANTIRN navigation pod

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

US may not be happy with India's decision not to buy the F-16 doesn't mean the spigot is open for Pakistan to get whatever it wants. Pakistan can get more F-16s just not the ones they are seeking.

It's more of "Pakistan can ask for the F-16s it wants, but it'll only get the ones it can afford..."

 

[Mansoor313]

Lockheed Martin has received a FMS for Pakistani F16s of Sniper, Infrared Search and Track (IRST); and Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) navigation pod (fixed wing) hardware production.
The total contract is worth $485 million which includes multiple US allies. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and various locations to be identified at the order level. The work is expected to be completed by May 2025.

Thank you India. Keep delaying Afghan peace and Viper will come as well.

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2190758/

this deal will collapse

 

[Arulmozhi Varman]

Lockheed Martin has received a FMS for Pakistani F16s of Sniper, Infrared Search and Track (IRST); and Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) navigation pod (fixed wing) hardware production.
The total contract is worth $485 million which includes multiple US allies. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and various locations to be identified at the order level. The work is expected to be completed by May 2025.

Thank you India. Keep delaying Afghan peace and Viper will come as well.

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2190758/

Even now Pakistan can get Viper provided they pay from their own pockets. Trump hasn't banned anything. He will sell you anything as long as Pakistan pays.

 

[MayaBazar]

US may not be happy with India's decision not to buy the F-16 doesn't mean the spigot is open for Pakistan to get whatever it wants. Pakistan can get more F-16s just not the ones they are seeking.

US has not put any restrictions on selling weapons to Pakistan.

 

[mingle]

this deal will collapse

Why?

Even now Pakistan can get Viper provided they pay from their own pockets. Trump hasn't banned anything. He will sell you anything as long as Pakistan pays.

Trump also holding Pak money they called it CSF they promise to release it along taliban peace deal with US. Now deal is done Pak will get her money and can use it as subsidy for new F16s they only worth at subsidy price not commercial one.

 

[Yasser76]

The PAF would pursue F-16V/Block-72 if the US makes a credit-line available for LM to use to build the fighters, and let the PAF repay in installments (cash for each delivery). No way is Pakistan going to keep a deposit with the US.

Very true

What about LANTRIN pod? What it offer compared to Sniper pod?

Different generations, Sniper is far more advanced in all aspects. LANTRIN basically mainly targeting and navigation, Sniper can do much more, at a longer distance, more accurately and transfer data and HD Video in real time. Like F-16 with it's own mini survellence drone attached to it

@Yasser76 said :
"Given financial situation and Covid crisis I very much doubt we have another $2 billion for a squadron of F-16Vs"

Looking at local Pakistani channel news today, I discovered that Pak people have spent that much shopping in just 4 days since the malls opened up.
Guess they were having withdrawals while sitting in "lockdown."
Heh heh heh

Pakistan spends probably $20 billion a year on oil. What is your point? We can take consumer money from the economy and buy jets with it!!???

It's more of "Pakistan can ask for the F-16s it wants, but it'll only get the ones it can afford..."

Exactly. Maybe there was a reluctance by some western suppliers to annoy India, but now that know that was just a game by Indians they are happy to sell to Pak but will want hard cash.

 

[Falcon26]

It's more of "Pakistan can ask for the F-16s it wants, but it'll only get the ones it can afford..."

Pakistan has billions of CSF funds that have been withheld. The policy was always that if Pakistan reverses its Policy and plays a supportive role, it will gain access to the funds. With the Afghan peace deal and the Trump administration very satisfied with the progress of the talks, it will be hard to imagine the White House withholding the money. Considering that the United States is in deep recession, it will make political sense to release the funds and create jobs, especially in electorally critical states. Pakistan has to play its card right.

“Briefing reporters, U.S. officials stressed the suspension did not affect civilian aid to Pakistan and that the money could go through if Islamabad took decisive action against the groups.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ion-in-security-aid-to-pakistan-idUSKBN1ET2DX

 

[pakpride00090]

Even now Pakistan can get Viper provided they pay from their own pockets. Trump hasn't banned anything. He will sell you anything as long as Pakistan pays.

This is correct and it is surprising people haven't mentioned this... The only thing stopping us from these products is unavailability of $$$$

 

[Dalit]

US may not be happy with India's decision not to buy the F-16 doesn't mean the spigot is open for Pakistan to get whatever it wants. Pakistan can get more F-16s just not the ones they are seeking.

Pakistan is not getting any F-16s. F-16 is a dead horse. Why should Pakistan invest in a confined platform when it has an alternative at its disposal that offers better and newer tech? PAF won't ever get its hands on AESA capable F-16s.

The current deal is nothing special. These are regular maintenance cycles which many nations receive over a regular interval.

Pakistan has billions of CSF funds that have been withheld. The policy was always that if Pakistan reverses its Policy and plays a supportive role, it will gain access to the funds. With the Afghan peace deal and the Trump administration very satisfied with the progress of the talks, it will be hard to imagine the White House withholding the money. Considering that the United States is in deep recession, it will make political sense to release the funds and create jobs, especially in electorally critical states. Pakistan has to play its card right.

“Briefing reporters, U.S. officials stressed the suspension did not affect civilian aid to Pakistan and that the money could go through if Islamabad took decisive action against the groups.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ion-in-security-aid-to-pakistan-idUSKBN1ET2DX

Highly unlikely. The US is also deep in bed with Modi's Hindustan. I don't see Trump or anyone in the US angering India.

The Afghan deal is only meant to facilitate the gradual withdrawal of US troops. This deal won't improve Pakistan US relations in the slightest.

US deep state dissatisfaction with Pakistan over possession of nukes and relations with China will remain as strong as ever.

US has not put any restrictions on selling weapons to Pakistan.

The US senate approves weapons sales to countries like Pakistan. US senate won't approve critical weapons sales to Pakistan.

 

[Falcon26]

Pakistan is not getting any F-16s. F-16 is a dead horse. Why should Pakistan invest in a confined platform when it has an alternative at its disposal that offers better and newer tech? PAF won't ever get its hands on AESA capable F-16s.

The current deal is nothing special. These are regular maintenance cycles which many nations receive over a regular interval.



Highly unlikely. The US is also deep in bed with Modi's Hindustan. I don't see Trump or anyone in the US angering India.

The Afghan deal is only meant to facilitate the gradual withdrawal of US troops. This deal won't improve Pakistan US relations in the slightest.

US deep state dissatisfaction with Pakistan over possession of nukes and relations with China will remain as strong as ever.



The US senate approves weapons sales to countries like Pakistan. US senate won't approve critical weapons sales to Pakistan.

India’s role is highly exaggerated. The US sold F-16 Block 52 and the largest single order of AMRAAMs despite India’s cries. This made F-16s the most potent aircraft in South Asia as evinced in February 27th. The United States relationship with Pakistan isn’t India-centric. America has its own interests in pursuing stronger ties with Pakistan regardless of how India feels.

 

[Dil Pakistan]

Pakistan has billions of CSF funds that have been withheld. The policy was always that if Pakistan reverses its Policy and plays a supportive role, it will gain access to the funds. With the Afghan peace deal and the Trump administration very satisfied with the progress of the talks, it will be hard to imagine the White House withholding the money. Considering that the United States is in deep recession, it will make political sense to release the funds and create jobs, especially in electorally critical states. Pakistan has to play its card right.

“Briefing reporters, U.S. officials stressed the suspension did not affect civilian aid to Pakistan and that the money could go through if Islamabad took decisive action against the groups.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ion-in-security-aid-to-pakistan-idUSKBN1ET2DX

The problem is that next US elections are due soon.
Just before the elections, administration goes into a freezer.
If new govt. / other party (Democrats in this case) come into power, the policy may change.

In US the policies swing at two extremes.

In Clinton times - we had policy to approach Iran, Iraq and North Korea. Accord signed to form Palestinian authority.
In Bush times - they became axis of evil
In Obama times - the policy was: "we can shake hands, if you can un-clinch your fist". Kyoto treaty good, Paris agreement signed, etc.
In Trump times - Iran and North Korea again world terrorism (Iraq was no longer relevant). Kyoto treaty torn apart, Paris agreement gone, etc.

These shifts, like pendulum, make US a very difficult country to do anything.

 

[kursed]

Unless we see an exact sales announcement for these to Pakistan, this should be taken as a refresh of FMS agreement to allow Pakistan to upgrade / repair its existing SNIPER inventory.

 

[BHarwana]

repair its existing SNIPER inventory

Repairs & spare part were already happening. The sale is also happening.

 

[Trailer23]

Pakistan is not getting any F-16s. F-16 is a dead horse. Why should Pakistan invest in a confined platform when it has an alternative at its disposal that offers better and newer tech? PAF won't ever get its hands on AESA capable F-16s.

Perhaps. And there are some Members who have backed your claim.

However there are two things to take into consideration...
1. A matter of CSF - which may be a longshot, but not entirely impossible. Pakistan has been peddling after it for years hoping the US may blink with whom so ever may be in Power.
2. Unless you (personally) have a say, the PAF/Govt. of Pakistan are gonna do what they feel - even if they have to dig deep into their pockets to acquire something they really want.

*The AESA Card was the only thing that made it difficult, but now with AESA being available to us locally. The value of the having the tech of an AESA Radar just went out the window.

And contrary to your opinion of titling it a 'dead horse', since 2018, no Fighter Jet has received more orders from Nations across the globe. Seems the F-16 is back in fashion. Just ask: Bahrain, Bulgaria, Morocco, Taiwan and possibly Indonesia & Chile.

Highly unlikely. The US is also deep in bed with Modi's Hindustan. I don't see Trump or anyone in the US angering India.

Yeah. I don't know how comfy the mattress is now that Boeing & Lockheed Martin have been handed the stick for their F-18 & F-21, respectively. I'd be surprised if that F-16 Wings assembly with TATA will proceed.
A deal with those companies was possibly the only reason why the US would've looked the other way in regard to the S-400. Now that statement by Trump, "We'll see how it goes" may change drastically. Time well tell the depth of that bed.

The US senate approves weapons sales to countries like Pakistan. US senate won't approve critical weapons sales to Pakistan.

Eh..., they approved the sale of the F-16 back in 2016 for Eight F-16 Block 52.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...es-sale-of-eight-f16-fighter-jets-to-pakistan

Now the deal didn't go through 'cause they wanted us to pay in full - hence we went for the 13 Jordanian F-16's. So, there is nothing off the books, unless there's been new development. They can't play the OBL card 'cause that too happened in 2011, five years prior to 2016 approval of the 8 F-16's. The 'We just don't trust you' won't work.

On a side note, and I totally understand your dislike for the US Policies towards Pakistan and the number of times they've screwed us over. But having a dislike for the machine that has proven its worth over and over again for nearly 4 Decades is not a lost cause. The only thing that keeps that sub-standard Air Force next dooe are those 70+ F-16's. The very ones that made short work of the Soviets 3 Decades ago and during Operation Swift Retort.

When the JF-17 proves its mantle on the International Forum for more than just a Strike Package, then we'll talk 'bout it being PAF's - Go To Fighter. Until than - its the F-16 with or without AESA.

Jordan got 30 looking buyer

I'm pretty certain that news is inaccurate.

I regularly visit the Official Site of the Royal Jordanian Air Force and I have NOT seen a single Tender that relates to any F-16's as of late. And 30 of 'em is a big number since its their front line Fighter.

They have a total of 59 F-16's (A/B) and no future orders as replacements. If memory serves, even when they sold us their 13 F-16's, they went for Belgian and Netherlands to cover that loss.

 

[Arulmozhi Varman]

Why?


Trump also holding Pak money they called it CSF they promise to release it along taliban peace deal with US. Now deal is done Pak will get her money and can use it as subsidy for new F16s they only worth at subsidy price not commercial one.

Nope. Forget CSF. It's not coming especially not now with or without the deal. The deal is anyway collapsing with Taliban bombings and Afghan forces attack.