PAF F-16 | Discussions

[hnn]

I am sure PAF would want to purchase the kits upfront and ask LM to outsource actual upgrades to a third party, i.e. TAI or Poland (which is doing the upgrade inhouse). Only flight testing and certification will be done in USA.

The kits, and any other equipment will come as a package bounded by ITAR/EUM. It might be possible to to negotiate the terms with LM/USA for a third-party upgrade depot, however, Turkey probably wouldn't be that third-party as they are not certified to manage USA origin LM equipment (AFAIK, they are only allowed to integrate their domestic subsystems). Poland on the other hand is certified for such a project but that doesn't help Pakistan's case if an embargo is later imposed (because it'll restrict the third-party help as well).

Recently, after a very long time, US EXIMP bank agreed to finance a large part of Reko Diq Copper Mine project. As i had mentioned this earlier, this is a massive move. It is entirely possible this was to ensure further financing inroads by US EXIMP bank(s) with help of SIFC of course since the banks do a lot of risk and due diligence before agreeing to finance in markets like Pakistan. They would have no issue financing F-16s as well. That way Pakistan can make up payments over a decade and not have to shell out hard cash upfront.

I believe the last time any major US EXIMP bank financing was done for Pakistan was during Musharraf time when PIA bought B777s instead of the much better optioned A330 from Europe.

EXIM won't finance such a project and here's why - for EXIM to make an exception it'll have to be a darn good excuse tied to US national security and the absence of any alternative financing options.

Mineral extraction and civilian aircraft is the purview of EXIM, and hence the sale of Boeing aircraft and Reko Diq financing/investment for Pakistan was approved.

 

[Scorpio]

I think the US is not opposed to sell Pak any mid line hardware. They will approve blk70 sales as well. I may hazard a guess even the newer F15s if Pakistan requested them. The sticking point is payment. Unkil wants payment is $$$. Pakistan wants to fund it via frozen CSF funds which it feels it is owed (~$12B). We don't want to spend our limited cash on something that may potentially get embargoed in the future depending on who is incharge of the WH.
Same was the case with the zulu deal. When Pak balked at paying for the helos with cash and went for the Turkish ATAK, Unkil refused export license on the engines because it wanted Pakistan to spend the billion dollars on its product and not Turkish. Therefore US will not authorize any Turkish solution that competes with their MIC offering. Under trump it is purely economics (I think).

In simple words money metters ... Which we don't have at all ...

Secondly even if we pay for some stuff (limited amount) we will never be sure we will get it ...

American policies swing are open .. they changed on the basics of there need ..

 

[safriz]

I said this many times over the years and still say, Pakistan should not fall into the same trap / hole of F-16 and strings pulled by USA.
I still remember Benazir era when Pakistan paid the money for Purchase of F-16. They manufactured and then put the jets in storage, and refused to give Pakistan the jets Pakistan had already paid for.
Then had the cheek of asking Pakistan to take Wheat for the money, instead of the Jets or returning the money.
Yeah, USA gave Pakistan "AAta aur Gandum" as a replacement to F-16

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Well, frankly, many people, including me, are perplexed by Trump II Presidency putting some 'balance' between India and Pakistan--a balance which virtually vanished after Bush Junior was replaced by Obama. For the last several months, I am not following why Trump's change of heart about Pakistan and India. People like Michael Kugelman were also baffled. I used to think Trump was giving minor concessions to Pakistan to coerce India into giving major concessions but I am not sure anymore.
Regardless of that, from browsing multiple Indian and Pakistan channels in last few days, it appears Pakistan has scored a major win with this F-16 deal.

My cautious but very simple understanding of this situation:

• Obama, Twitter Trump, Sleepy Joe and the Europeans asked and expected India to contain China for the last 15 years in return for massive US/European investments in India.
• India took all the investments with both hands (and feet) and did its best containing Pakistan.

Maybe there was some misunderstanding, but Donald Trump now wants his money back from India.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The defence deal with KSA might have a silver lining, payment for new build or upgrade comes from the sands of arabia!! Or the enhanced number of J-10's will be procured through funds secured through the pact!!

 

[Scorpio]

I said this many times over the years and still say, Pakistan should not fall into the same trap / hole of F-16 and strings pulled by USA.
I still remember Benazir era when Pakistan paid the money for Purchase of F-16. They manufactured and then put the jets in storage, and refused to give Pakistan the jets Pakistan had already paid for.
Then had the cheek of asking Pakistan to take Wheat for the money, instead of the Jets or returning the money.
Yeah, USA gave Pakistan "AAta aur Gandum" as a replacement to F-16

F16 are Love of Life of PAF old baba jee

 

[Fatman17]

Washington okays upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet
https://www.dawn.com/news/1962751?utm_source=whatsapp

 

[Fatman17]

No objections raised by US Congress

 

[Dalit]

Washington okays upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet

Lockheed Martin picked as main contractor; $686m deal aims to extend fleet service life until 2040
• US Congress was earlier notified of the proposed sale, didn’t raise any objection

Sensitive components include Mode-5 identification friend-or-foe systems, handheld key loaders, and reprogramming equipment for munitions built-in-test functions. Some items are classified as secret.

Pakistan first submitted its request for F-16 upgrades in 2021-22. While the DSCA consistently supported the proposal, the Biden administration chose not to act at the time, even though the notification mechanism was available. A notification was issued in December 2024, but no further action followed.

A fresh notification was sent to Congress in December 2025 under the Trump administration. Once the statutory notification window closed with no objection raised, the proposed sale was approved in accordance with US law.

US rationale

In its official statement, the DSCA said the sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enabling Pakistan to retain interoperability with Washington and partner forces.

“It will strengthen cooperation in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and help prepare for future contingency operations,” the agency said.

The statement added that refurbishing and upgrading Pakistan’s F-16 fleet would address critical flight-safety concerns and improve integration and interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the US Air Force during combat operations, exercises, and training.

The DSCA said Pakistan was expected to absorb the articles and services without difficulty and stressed that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.

Implementation of the sale will not require additional US government or contractor personnel in Pakistan and will have no adverse impact on American defence readiness.

The US government said it was not aware of any offset agreement linked to the proposed sale; any such arrangement would be determined through negotiations between Pakistan and the contractor.

Washington okays upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet

Lockheed Martin picked as main contractor; $686m deal aims to extend fleet service life until 2040.

www.dawn.com

I am interested in Indian response.

 

[safriz]

Washington okays upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet

Lockheed Martin picked as main contractor; $686m deal aims to extend fleet service life until 2040
• US Congress was earlier notified of the proposed sale, didn’t raise any objection

Sensitive components include Mode-5 identification friend-or-foe systems, handheld key loaders, and reprogramming equipment for munitions built-in-test functions. Some items are classified as secret.

Pakistan first submitted its request for F-16 upgrades in 2021-22. While the DSCA consistently supported the proposal, the Biden administration chose not to act at the time, even though the notification mechanism was available. A notification was issued in December 2024, but no further action followed.

A fresh notification was sent to Congress in December 2025 under the Trump administration. Once the statutory notification window closed with no objection raised, the proposed sale was approved in accordance with US law.

US rationale

In its official statement, the DSCA said the sale would support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enabling Pakistan to retain interoperability with Washington and partner forces.

“It will strengthen cooperation in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and help prepare for future contingency operations,” the agency said.

The statement added that refurbishing and upgrading Pakistan’s F-16 fleet would address critical flight-safety concerns and improve integration and interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the US Air Force during combat operations, exercises, and training.

The DSCA said Pakistan was expected to absorb the articles and services without difficulty and stressed that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.

Implementation of the sale will not require additional US government or contractor personnel in Pakistan and will have no adverse impact on American defence readiness.

The US government said it was not aware of any offset agreement linked to the proposed sale; any such arrangement would be determined through negotiations between Pakistan and the contractor.

Washington okays upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet

Lockheed Martin picked as main contractor; $686m deal aims to extend fleet service life until 2040.

www.dawn.com

But why 92 Link 16 are being bought when Pakistan has 70 or less F-16s?
Likewise does that mean that Pakistan had been using F-16s all those years without Link 16s?

 

[Dalit]

But why 92 Link 16 are being bought when Pakistan has 70 or less F-16s?
Likewise does that mean that Pakistan had been using F-16s all those years without Link 16s?

Most likely. I think it is a good idea to upgrade these F-16s since the PAF already operates them. Acquiring new F-16s doesn't make sense. I agree with the approach. Upgrade the ones you already have and extend their lifespan. It would be much cheaper than getting 70 new fighters. Also, India is going to have a tough time facing more advanced upgraded F-16s. We have seen during the latest skirmishes that Indian air force is not up to par.

In conclusion, from Pakistan's perspective, upgrading the existing F-16 fleet makes a lot of sense.

After this upgrade PAF should fully focus on acquiring more J-10C and in the future J-35 fighters. That should be the focus.

 

[Aamir Hussain]

The obvious answer is any aircraft that requires to communicate with our F-16's, going forward, would need the new hardware and software despite the system upgrade being backwards compatible. Therefore, and i am guessing here, our SAAB's our EW a/c and ground control stations relaying tactical info and guidance! So we see a lot more systems being purchased than the fleet size.

 

[Fatman17]

But why 92 Link 16 are being bought when Pakistan has 70 or less F-16s?
Likewise does that mean that Pakistan had been using F-16s all those years without Link 16s?

Spares

 

[Fatman17]

Today in F-16 history
23 Dec 1981
Pakistan orders 6 F-16s (Peace Gate I) becoming the 9th customer.
23 Dec 1981
Pakistan orders 34 F-16s (Peace Gate II).

 

[Dreamer]

F16 are Love of Life of PAF old baba jee

And some not so old babu jees on this forum also!