F-16 in 15-18 months: PAF chief

[Owais]

F-16 in 15-18 months: PAF chief


ISLAMABAD (updated on: July 17, 2006, 16:00 PST): Pakistan hopes to start getting F-16 fighters from the United States in late 2007, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood said on Monday, under a five-billion-dollar deal.

Pakistan has requested 18 new F-16s and 26 used jets, ACM Tanvir Mahmood told a news conference at air force headquarters in Islamabad.

The sale of the multi-role aircraft is expected to be approved by the US Congress later this month, but has concerned some US lawmakers and angered India.

"We hope to receive the 26 used aircraft in 15-18 months' time," Mahmood said, adding that the US Air Force will decommission them and deliver them to Pakistan.

The used planes were originally built for Pakistan but US sanctions imposed in 1990 disrupted the deal, he added.

However, the new C and D model F-16s will not be delivered until 2009, he said.

Under the package the United States will additionally upgrade Pakistan's existing fleet of 34 F-16s purchased more than two decades ago, he said.

Air Marshal Mahmood also dismissed media reports that some US Congressmen had criticised the deal, fearing that Pakistan might transfer F-16 technology to close ally China.

"This is all fabricated information," he said, referring to allegations that Pakistan passes on technology. "We adhere to the conditions we sign."

 

[RAPTOR]

F-16 in 15-18 months: PAF chief


ISLAMABAD (updated on: July 17, 2006, 16:00 PST): Pakistan hopes to start getting F-16 fighters from the United States in late 2007, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood said on Monday, under a five-billion-dollar deal.

Pakistan has requested 18 new F-16s and 26 used jets, ACM Tanvir Mahmood told a news conference at air force headquarters in Islamabad.

The sale of the multi-role aircraft is expected to be approved by the US Congress later this month, but has concerned some US lawmakers and angered India.

"We hope to receive the 26 used aircraft in 15-18 months' time," Mahmood said, adding that the US Air Force will decommission them and deliver them to Pakistan.

The used planes were originally built for Pakistan but US sanctions imposed in 1990 disrupted the deal, he added.

However, the new C and D model F-16s will not be delivered until 2009, he said.

Under the package the United States will additionally upgrade Pakistan's existing fleet of 34 F-16s purchased more than two decades ago, he said.

Air Marshal Mahmood also dismissed media reports that some US Congressmen had criticised the deal, fearing that Pakistan might transfer F-16 technology to close ally China.

"This is all fabricated information," he said, referring to allegations that Pakistan passes on technology. "We adhere to the conditions we sign."

The objection was only raised by the pro-india worthless congressman (gary Ackerman) and Tom Lantos who do not have the brains to think for themselves and take their orders from the overly concerned and two faced indian immigrants in the US.

 

[Spring Onion]

Ahah Raptor u are back good to see you


i wish we could get these jets and hope all the objections would meltdown soon.

The indian lobby is strong lets see what happend.

Our side must also emphisize when the indian side is getting the same rather much advance tech and weapons whts the problem with F-16s sale to us.
it wont affect the balance in SA .

 

[Neo]

Our side must also emphisize when the indian side is getting the same rather much advance tech and weapons whts the problem with F-16s sale to us.
it wont affect the balance in SA .

What balance are we talking about Jana Jee?
India has been modernising and expanding her forces since the mid nineties, she outsizes Pak defence forces in each and every field.
There's no balance...

 

[araz]

One of the problems is that US may have emphasised the sale and specially the weapons systems to send a message to the Indians to sway their opinion for their requirement of 126 Aircrafts. Whether it gets the job done or not is another story. I agree that in reality they have not introduced any new system in this arena but the quality of their weapons systems may force India to change its mind. At the end of the day , the Indian market is a much bigger one and "Money talks".
Araz

 

[Owais]

US Senate committee to discuss arms package for Pakistan today WASHINGTON: Foreign Policy Committee of US Senate will meet today to discuss selling of arms package worth five billions to Pakistan.

To be headed by Senator Richard Lugar in a closed-door session, the 18-member committee will record the statements of US Under-secretary for Arms Control Robert Joseph and Lt Gen Geoffrey Koehler of US Air Force; while the House of Representatives' foreign committee will meet on July 20 in which US Assistant Secretary for Political & Defence Affairs John Helen is likely to take part.

The Bush administration has already informed the Congress about its decision of selling 62 F-16 jets and ballistic missiles to Pakistan; if no opposition is made within 30 days the decision will be considered as granted in accordance with the US laws.

 

[Spring Onion]

What balance are we talking about Jana Jee?
India has been modernising and expanding her forces since the mid nineties, she outsizes Pak defence sources in each and every field.
There's no balance...

hmmmmmm Neo ji thats wht im saying. The indians are out there saying that sale of f-16s would disturbe the balance of power in the region .

 

[Averroes]

They sure do nag a lot. Always quick to blame. Did Pakistan say anything when they acquired su-30 MKI ? Why a nation like india would behave in puerile behaviour like this, just reveals their cowardice nature.

 

[Spring Onion]

They sure do nag a lot. Always quick to blame. Did Pakistan say anything when they acquired su-30 MKI ? Why a nation like india would behave in puerile behaviour like this, just reveals their cowardice nature.

Well they always blam us of being India centric :biggrin: heheheh what a joke.
Its other way round.
Even if we get a model of any aircraft they would be sleepless :biggrin: see balance of power problem.

 

[Arrow]

They sure do nag a lot. Always quick to blame. Did Pakistan say anything when they acquired su-30 MKI ? Why a nation like india would behave in puerile behaviour like this, just reveals their cowardice nature.

China objects to Taiwan getting anything. India objects to Pakistan getting ..

Face it. India will attempt to throw a spanner in your works. Its not cowardice nature. Its upfront, in your face lobbying. Whining about it is useless.

 

[RAPTOR]

One of the problems is that US may have emphasised the sale and specially the weapons systems to send a message to the Indians to sway their opinion for their requirement of 126 Aircrafts. Whether it gets the job done or not is another story. I agree that in reality they have not introduced any new system in this arena but the quality of their weapons systems may force India to change its mind. At the end of the day , the Indian market is a much bigger one and "Money talks".
Araz

But india takes up to 20 years to understand these deals and then it orders the goods. It took indians 20 years to order the Hawk trainers from Britan. We have been hearing about these so called magical "126" fighters since the 90's. dont expect any orders from hindustan for another 8 years.The LCA is almost 20 years old....the Scorpene deal took them 6 years to think and read the contract....so lets not worry about india being a bigger market and money talks crap.

Pakistan was ready to buy 60 plus gripens. ...77 F-16s before the earthquake.