US Approves $686m Upgrade Package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets
Washington approves a $686 million package to modernise Pakistan’s F-16 jets, boosting interoperability and extending service life.
Ayesha Mir
The United States has approved a $686 million technology and support package to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets, a move framed by Washington as a step toward strengthening interoperability and supporting regional counter-terrorism operations.
According to reports citing the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the package includes advanced Link-16 data links, secure communications gear, navigation upgrades, avionics enhancements, cryptographic equipment, flight-safety improvements, and extensive engineering and logistics support for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The deal also covers training modules, software updates, spare parts, technical documentation and long-term maintenance.
A small portion, roughly $37 million, is classified as major defence equipment, including 92 Link-16 terminals and a set of inert 500-lb Mk-82 bomb bodies used purely for integration testing. The remaining $649 million consists of non-MDE items designed to keep the fleet mission-ready.
US officials noted that the sale would not require deploying additional American personnel to Pakistan, nor would it affect US military readiness, a detail typically highlighted to ease congressional review.
According to Dawn, diplomatic sources in Islamabad described the approval as “timely,” saying it allows Pakistan to extend the operational life of its F-16 fleet until 2040, ensuring the jets remain relevant alongside newer platforms.
Defence analysts say the move signals a cautious but continuing military-technical relationship between Washington and Islamabad, even as Pakistan expands ties with other partners. The F-16s, despite aging, remain a backbone of PAF’s precision-strike capability, and the upgrades are expected to significantly boost reliability and mission performance.
In short, the approval locks in a major mid-life refresh for Pakistan’s frontline fighters, a package that keeps the aircraft digitally connected, safer to fly, and better integrated with coalition forces when needed.
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