F-16 deal expires amid Pakistan-US row over finances

[Wolf]

Great day for Pakistan and PAF. It surely will be a blessing in disguise IA.

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

Now we can stand tall and look for new options.

 

[mehboobkz]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ence-ties-with-india/articleshow/52463977.cms

 

[litman]

we never learn from history. our rulers will always lick their feet and will always give impression to the nation that USA is our god and we can't displease her. amreeki tatto

 

[C130]

We have other options uncle sam.

like what

curious why we are subsidizing nearly 2/3third the cost $430 million dollars.

we never learn from history. our rulers will always lick their feet and will always give impression to the nation that USA is our god and we can't displease her. amreeki tatto

well if you were paying for 1/3 the cost than what your rich brothers are paying I say you have been making out like a bandit.

if you can't pay full price then maybe you shouldn't be flying F-16 blk 52s in the first place.


just buy more JF-17 or J-10 or Mig-35s

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

Bhai jaan our leader is on surgery bed having his bypass done. General scolded him a little bit and he had an heart ache.

 

[The Eagle]

There is no mafia but love situation. In 80s when we get F-16 Pakistani pilots went crazy about the new the most latest the most lethal machine in this subcontinent and they did it very well, what exactly happen those pilot got promoted and now in senior most positions but their love of the US machine never going to die, if you ask them they will defiantly opted for F-16. Our defense policy makers including Govt should interfere to get the required long range jets to defend our borders and sea ports.

Sir, don't you think, this affair is going to end while keeping in view the regional situation and forming of new groups/blocks like Pak-China-Russia etc. US was always tilted towards India and openly nowadays so such rejections was expected but looking at the situation at Afghan Theater and adversaries around, indeed we are in need of long range, heavies with air-superiority but what are the options under such financial assets, not much i think.

 

[Tipu7]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan seems to have failed to seal the deal for the purchase of eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States following a row over financing.

The Pakistani government was required to provide the Letter of Acceptance for purchase of the jets by May 24, but a diplomatic source revealed that the document was not issued leading to expiry of the offer. “Pakistan decided not to fully fund the case with national funds, so the terms of sale have now expired,” the source told Dawn.

Initially, the $699 million deal for eight F-16C/D Block-52 multi-role fighters (2 C and 6 D models), was to be partially financed through the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, but Congress disallowed subsidising the sale over concerns that Pakistan had not done enough to end the Haqqani network’s sanctuaries on its soil as well as fears about Islamabad’s nuclear programme, particularly tactical weapons and the intermediate range Shaheen III missile.

Pakistan, which expected to get the fighters at the subsidised rate of $270 million, was subsequently asked by the US administration to make the full payment for the eight aircraft from its national resources. This was not acceptable to Pakistani authorities, who remained adamant that the offer must come without any preconditions.

The aircraft were required by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. The additional jets would have enhanced the PAF’s capacity to sustain counter-terrorism operations by increasing aircraft availability and providing training opportunities for pilots transitioning to the Block-52 version. Furthermore, the aircraft would have come with ‘all-weather, non-daylight environments and self-defence/area suppression capability’.

It was unclear why Pakistan missed the opportunity despite pressing requirement for the jets, although it had originally desired to acquire 18 F-16s.

Some quarters believe that providing the Letter of Acceptance would have kept the window open for re-negotiating the financing arrangement at a later stage.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Jalil Abbas Jilani, talking to Dawn via phone from Washington, said “a dead-end has not been reached as yet”.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said last month that Pakistan could look to buy the aircraft from some other country if the deal did not go ahead. Analysts believe Islamabad could consider Russian or Chinese fighters to meet its defence requirements.

Meanwhile, negotiations are also continuing with TUSAS Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the upgrade of 74 F-16 fighters currently serving in the PAF fleet. A Turkish team is due in Islamabad in July to continue discussions on the project. US consent would be required for the deal to materialise.

TAI had, under a 2009 agreement, previously upgraded 41 PAF aircraft to Block-52 standard. The last of the upgraded fighters were handed over to PAF in September 2014.

US had provided the needed parts, materials and technical data to TUSAS to upgrade the PAF jets.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016

http://www.dawn.com/news/1261205/f-16-deal-expires-amid-pakistan-us-row-over-finances

@Windjammer @MastanKhan

 

[Maj.Osmani]

Sir, don't you think, this affair is going to end while keeping in view the regional situation and forming of new groups/blocks like Pak-China-Russia etc. US was always tilted towards India and openly nowadays so such rejections was expected but looking at the situation at Afghan Theater and adversaries around, indeed we are in need of long range, heavies with air-superiority but what are the options under such financial assets, not much i think.

Listen brother we are not in position to join or disengage from blocks, even in international politics blocks doesn’t exist. We Pakistani are sorry to say opportunists and we have to be from where we get good stuff and political support we will approach. Why we prefer US jets because they are war proven and we have good experience of them, above all it become more suitable when we pay only subsidize price. Now we just need good economy Russia is quite willingly to sale some good stuff but not like US they need money.

 

[Genghis khan1]

Time running out for Pakistan on F-16 decision
BAQIR SAJJAD SYED — UPDATED ABOUT 7 HOURS AGO
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is left with barely a few days to decide if it will pay for the eight F-16 aircraft it intends to procure from the United States from its own kitty or else lose the opportunity of buying the jets believed to be one of the best fourth-generation multi-role fighters.

“If Pakistan still desires to buy the F-16s, it would have to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) by May 24,” a diplomatic source said. Pakistan has been reluctant to issue the LoA for the purchase of the fighters after the US Congress barred the administration from subsidising the sale through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme.

Under the initial financing arrangement, the US was to pay about $430 million for the eight jets worth $699 million from FMF funds, while the remaining cost was to be borne by Pakistan itself. But, after the Congressional hold on partially financing the deal through FMF, Washington asked Islamabad to foot the bill from its national resources.

Islamabad rejected the idea of fully paying for the aircraft and refused to make any pledge unless the restriction on financing through FMF was lifted.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, meanwhile, said that if the issue was not resolved Pakistan could explore the possibility of buying some other aircraft to meet its requirements.

The diplomatic source said that the opportunity to buy the F-16s could be lost after the expiry of the offer, in case Pakistan missed the deadline. The cut-off date, he stressed, was particularly important because the F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin was planning to close the production line of the aircraft at Fort Worth, Texas, by the end of next year. Pakistan was expected to be one of the last two customers. The financing row is under discussion between Pakistan and the US, but the source was not much optimistic about Congress withdrawing its restriction without Islamabad taking steps to address its concerns. “Realistically speaking that is unlikely to happen in four days,” he maintained.

Congress wants Pakistan to take action against the Haqqani network; give assurances about ending its tactical weapons and restricting medium-range Shaheen III ballistic missile; and free Dr Shakeel Afridi, who remained part of the US hunt for Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden before he was killed in a raid by Special Forces on his Abbottabad hideout.

Despite the continuing controversy, positive statements have been issued by both Pakistan’s Foreign Office and the US State Department over the past few days indicating their desire to move ahead.

Read: No intention to diminish relations with Pakistan: US

“Pakistan-US bilateral relationship is much larger and broader than the F-16 issue,” FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly media briefing on Thursday. The statements, a diplomatic observer believes, were meant to prevent distraction from other big issues in the relationship including Afghanistan, trade and civilian assistance.

Meanwhile, Mr Zakaria confirmed on Friday the May 24 deadline for LoA. To Dawn’s query, he said: “We are aware of it. The discussions among the US administration and Congress as well as between Pakistan and the US are continuing. It’s a time-consuming process. We derive satisfaction from the fact that the US administration is fully supportive as far as sale and FMF are concerned.”

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2016

3 days left....let's see...

I my opinion the PAF should sign the document. This way they can still try to secure some funds from the US. If not and there is no money, cancel it and walk away. However, I feel that the PAF is looking for 20+ more f-16 to satisfy their strategies they have come up with against possible IAF attacks. So they would rather have brand new Block C/D aircraft's than refurbished Jordanian ones (but these will be their second option).

Well here is the inside story.
Defence industrial complex is very strong in the US and lockheed martin needs their worker and production lines rolling. US made enough offer ( 8 or some F-16s) to keep Lockheed martin workforce employed until F-35 production is fully up and running. Few months ago lockheed martin decided to start full speed production of F-35 and all of the F-16 workers is being transitioned there. Last few orders of F-16s were filled by either Iraqi or some other AF. So basically, until or unless there are any unemployed work force left on F-16 assembly line, US is not subsiding $hit for Pakistan.

Source: https://defence.pk/threads/us-shoots-itself-in-foot-in-pakistan-jet-deal.431690/page-8#ixzz49vzyuzRp

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Meanwhile, negotiations are also continuing with TUSAS Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the upgrade of 74 F-16 fighters currently serving in the PAF fleet. A Turkish team is due in Islamabad in July to continue discussions on the project. US consent would be required for the deal to materialise.


The Question is to what standard ? The Report also said Block 52+ will also be upgraded. Also the last line is Important

 

[Shabi1]

US won't object upgrades, only issue is finance.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

US won't object upgrades, only issue is finance.

Well still they won't allow F-16 V Standard Upgrade

 

[CHI RULES]

if someone logically thinks PAF shall be able to get free from all strings related to F16 upgrades if and only PAF is able to get AESAs/IRST for it's JF17s or inducts a new platform with similar capabilities.

 

[SSGcommandoPAK]

So why this option is not used till now? who is going to give Free money? China ? don't expect.

In few years our economy will get much better and we will not need any more "FREE MONEY " INSHALLAH