What are the reasons behind the US offering the F16 Block 70/72 Viper to Pakistan?
Allan John Belisle, former Lawyer at Retirement (1967-2019)
Answered Tue
The following is an adequate answer via an opinion given by Khafee, a Staff member administrator of the World Defense magazine:
Pakistan Air Force has been offered 18 to 24 Blk 70 F16's manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The current existing fleet, all of it will undergo an upgrade to the Blk 70/72 specs, as well as Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to bring the life of the current aircrafts to 12,000hrs.
" PAF has to yet accept the offer, or announce it publicly.
The Question is: "Why is the US reaching out to the Pakistan?"
Two reasons:
1) China - Pakistan has slid so far into the Chinese camp, that is now a de facto province. Something which is extremely worrying for the Americans.
The Feb hostilities saw 3 PLAAF squadrons go to standby - in order to assist Pakistan if needed. PLAN sent 4 SSK , and 3 boomers, at least two Type 55 destroyers, other assets were also sent later after the ISI chiefs visit. PLA also went to full war time alert, ready to move in.
This is the main reason why IN choose to sleep out the hostilities.
2) India - India's incompetence hasn't gone unnoticed, neither has them becoming an economic threat to the US. To contain them, and move Pak away from the Chinese camp, to whatever extent possible. These are the two goals.
The US has a list of some 10~20 companies that are critical to National Security, LM, Boeing Raytheon, Cisco etc. Sensitive data has been steadily flowing to India, China, Russia, Israel, courtesy of Indians. The deep state has realized its folly, AND no president will work against the deep state.
The trade balance being lopsided, doesn't help them either.
Imran Khan, wants to make a change, a fundamental change in Pak, but decades old rot, bogs him down. He also has the support of the Army. All these things combined, has assured the US that Pakistan can be a useful ally after all.
Last but not the least, Pakistan's oil reserves slightly more than the UK's at 21bn BBL (min) doesn't hurt it either. By comparison Oman's Reserves are at 5.3bn BBL (approx).
Once all options are exploited, Pakistan will be exporting 1.2m bpd ~ 1.4m bpd. (this figure is after deducting domestic consumption).
Given the above, it is in US's national interest to rekindle its relationship with an old ally."