By IRNA,
Islamabad : The United States has completed the delivery of 14 F-16 aircraft to Pakistan with the Monday’s handing over of a fresh batch of four planes, the US embassy has said.
The Acting Commander of US Central Command, Lt. Gen. Martin E.
Dempsey, handed over four F-16 jet fighter aircraft to Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed in a ceremony at a Pakistan Air Force Base here.
The handing over completes the delivery of 14 F-16 aircraft the United States agreed to provide Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales program, the embassy said in a statement.
The first two were delivered in December 2005; two more in July 2007; two in February 2008; four in June 2008.
The US Government provided the aircraft to Pakistan at no cost except for the expenses of preparation and transport from the United States to Pakistan.
The four aircraft presented Tuesday are valued at approximately US$6.4 million each.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, reiterated PAF’s pledge to remain vigilant for defense of the nation by ensuring highest level of combat readiness, a PAF statement said.
It said Pakistan attaches great significance to its defense needs, which is based on minimum deterrence level.
Being cognizant of the fact, Pakistan had signed agreements with United States Government in years 2005/2006 for the acquisition of fourteen EDA F-16 multi-role aircraft.
Under this arrangement, Pakistan has already received ten F-16 aircraft from the United States Government in different batches.
Two of these aircraft were received in year 2005, four in year 2007, while another four were recently received in June, 2008 and commissioned into Pakistan Air Force.
The newly delivered aircraft, having already undergone various upgrades, will significantly augment the operational and combat capabilities of PAF.