PAF F-16 | Discussions

[FuturePAF]

What about this one? Is it available for export? https://www.northropgrumman.com/wha...tegrated-viper-electronic-warfare-suite-ivews

Possibly, but don’t hold me to it. Considering the shift from the F-16 to the F-35, the target customers are most likely foreign operators, not cleared to buy the F-35, but allowed to get an upgrade.

 

[Princeps]

tbh we have no choice but to pay the expensive maintenance costs , we have to retire f7pg and mirages first , then f16s are next on the chopping block , as the report said f16 till 2040s

We already signed a sustainment package worth $400 million a year or two ago, and that was for the entire fleet i believe.

This doesn't mention sustainment or maintenance it's just a bunch of F-16 related equipment that doesn't even make sense for PAF to buy as they'd already have all that. I am just confused.

Also is there an example of another country shelling up this much for a deal that doesn't include upgrades? with the previous $400 million it would add up to over a billion for just sustainment and maintenance.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Total US military aid frozen as of 2025 is $5.3 billion and amounts approved/released in 2025.

Date​	Amount Released​	Purpose​
25/02/2025​	$397 million	Continue support of the Technical Security Team (TST) for F-16s.
10/12/2025​	$686 million	Updating and refurbishing of Block–52 and Mid Life Upgrade of the F–16 fleet.

Another $4.2 billion still to be released.

 

[hasssanali8998]

Total US military aid frozen as of 2025 is $5.3 billion

can you give more details

 

[Strawman]

We already signed a sustainment package worth $400 million a year or two ago, and that was for the entire fleet i believe.

This doesn't mention sustainment or maintenance it's just a bunch of F-16 related equipment that doesn't even make sense for PAF to buy as they'd already have all that. I am just confused.

Also is there an example of another country shelling up this much for a deal that doesn't include upgrades? with the previous $400 million it would add up

The two contracts are entirely separate. The recent one is essentially secure comms, software + IFF upgrade and a whole host of other stuff. All very much essential to keep the fleet relevant and capable (and interoperable with the USAF)

The notification also explicitly service life extension, make of that what you will.

 

[TAC]

Total US military aid frozen as of 2025 is $5.3 billion and amounts approved/released in 2025.

Date​	Amount Released​	Purpose​
25/02/2025​	$397 million	Continue support of the Technical Security Team (TST) for F-16s.
10/12/2025​	$686 million	Updating and refurbishing of Block–52 and Mid Life Upgrade of the F–16 fleet.

Another $4.2 billion still to be released.

So this is being paid for with US aid? Doesn’t sound like something Trump would do?

 

[Tariq Habib Afridi]

It doesn't say that. Am I missing something?

I interpreted that if we are not getting c8 or D3 than we we are not getting V kit either. Because the v kit radar can guide the long range c8 and d3.

 

[AeronautIR]

I interpreted that if we are not getting c8 or D3 than we we are not getting V kit either. Because the v kit radar can guide the long range c8 and d3.

Got it. Thank you. For now, it seems that officially we are not getting any latest capability in weapons or upgrades. May be they are keeping it under wraps. Let's wait and see I guess.

 

[Ibbi32]

We have 75 aircraft and with some spares, 92 makes sense.

Also it does say in general 92 link 16 datalink systems. They dont have to be installed on our f-16s. Installing them on eriyes,p-3s even sea sultans or other aircraft is possible

 

[AeronautIR]

Also it does say in general 92 link 16 datalink systems. They dont have to be installed on our f-16s. Installing them on eriyes,p-3s even sea sultans or other aircraft is possible

Interesting thought but I wonder if it is possible because of requirement of encrypted software.

 

[Ibbi32]

I believe this is us bribing the way open for a future bigger V Kits and C-8 deal. Otherwise $686 million is too big of an amount to spend for pretty much nothing substantial.

I feel people arent reading the official notification correctly. It specifically mentions service life extension program to extend the life of the f-16 fleet including AM/BM well into 2040s which is huge in itself. And obviously if we are to go for v-kits on our planes we need them to actually have some service life left in them

 

[Ibbi32]

I feel people arent reading the official notification correctly. It specifically mentions service life extension program to extend the life of the f-16 fleet including AM/BM well into 2040s which is huge in itself. And obviously if we are to go for v-kits on our planes we need them to actually have some service life left in them

@Ak01 @Quwa hogaye khush?

 

[Ak01]

@Ak01 @Quwa hogaye khush?

we were actually discussing this privately earlier, i think we read it the same too.

 

[bravo_1]

"Pakistan had requested upgrades to its F-16 fleet in 2021 amid strained relations, but Washington delayed its response. The country is now less dependent on the F-16s, having acquired and jointly developed other platforms, which proved their worth during the May 2025 air war by inflicting significant damage on the Indian fleet."

US approves sale of tech worth $686m for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets

The package includes Link–16 systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics updates, training, and comprehensive logistical support.

www.dawn.com

 

[Ibbi32]

We have 75 aircraft and with some spares, 92 makes sense.

Actually i wanted to see if this number of 75 is actually true. Because to my knowledge number is 89

40 A/B a/c peace gate 1/2(1983-86)
28 A/B a/c peace 3/4 (embargoed and delivered in 2004)
18 blk 52+ A/C peace drive 1 (delivered in 2010)
13 ADF a/c ex-rjaf (delivered in 2013)

Minus 10 airframe losses this leads to number being 89 if i am not mistaken which lines up nicely with 92 systems being ordered