Manticore
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PAF F-16 mlu specifications and 36 blk 52 prospects in the light of our thinktanks -- just a humble way to get all the news together--so exciting
meanbird
Actually, a unique feature of PAF is that almost everything it gets is customized. Even when we got the blk 15 F-16s in the 80s, they were customized and were slightly different from the standard blk 15 that were sold to other countries.
Even now, the MLU PAF F-16s are getting are customized rather than standard MLU-3 or MLU-4.
Let me try to explain
MLU-3 in made up of the following.
Automatic Target Hand-off System (ATHS)
Integration of anti radiation missile capability
Integration of target designator system
Further implementation of the Digital Terrain System
Integration of the Link-16 system
Integration of capability for GPS controlled weapons (GBU30/32)
Introduction of Helmet Mounted/Cueing Sight
Introduction of NVG compatible helmets
Where as the MLU 4 Tape has the following features which PAF is not aquiring because of financial crunch,
M4 tape contains in addition to above:
Introduction of advanced short-range missile, as a replacement for the current Sidewinder (AIM-9X, IRIS-T)
Integration of advanced Link-16 functions
Integration of SNIPER targeting pods
Here's what PAF is getting:
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU)modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of:
APG-68(V)9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or APG-66(V)2 radar;
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems;
AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems;
AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems;
Have Quick I/II Radios;
Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals;
SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability;
Reconnaissance pod capability;
Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units;
MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits
21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency
Memory (DRFM) or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM;
60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems;
1 Unit Level Trainer; and
10 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets.
So you can see that everything there is just a customized upgrade rather then a MLU-3 or MLU-4. The only thing missing is integration of AIM-9X sidewinders(5th gen) because we are getting the AIM-9M sidewinders (the latest ones before the 5th gen).
Hope that explains it...so it is blk 50 standard
Here's a link to exactly what PAF is getting
http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36...stan_06-10.pdf
Quote:
Falcon Star upgrade for the airframe life
Quote:
PAF F-16s will be brought up to blk 52 standard minus 3 things
1. there are no improvements to the Block 15s mission range and loiter time;
2. there are no engine improvements; and,
3. there are no improvements to payload capacity
It has other things that come with blk 52 like APG-68v9 radar, JHMCS, JDAM, AGM-84 Harpoon capability, etc
blain2
Pakistani blk 52 F-16s will have Goodrich DB-110 recce pods as per AFM. These are the most advanced recce pods on combat aircraft in service with NATO currently.
pshamim
Not just 18, Pakistan is now acquiring all 36 F-16s. This report in Defence Industry Daily now confirms what I have heard lately.
Quote:
May 23rd, 2010
On June 28/06, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Some of these items had been put on hold following the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan & Kashmir, but the request for 36 new F-16 Block 50/52s is now going ahead, along with new weapons, engine modifications, and upgrade kits for Pakistan’s older F-16 A/Bs.
Regarding the older F-16s, they are not just getting the standard MLU but the CCIP upgrade which will bring them up to Block-50/52+ standard.
fatman
32 original
14 EDA stocks (or transferred from USAF - embargoed)
46 total
01 attrition
45 to go upgrade
18 blk 52 under delivery
18 blk 52 option taken
81 total
expect the number to go to at-least 100.
6 sqdns inc a OCU
araz
According to Hkhan of pakdef.info the embargoed F16s will also be released in the fall of this yr. it is on grounds of the fact that USN is by law required to keep aircrafts that can be serviced by the inventory of parts that it holds.As these are BL15OCUs they no longer hold parts for them and therefore have to release them. As discussed with you earlier, I had heard that 14 new Bl52s were being acquired but it seems that PAF will take up all the available options of 18. Good news as long as we maintain a hefty load of spares on board!!
Araz
fatman
the bush admin had approved delivery of 28 F-16A/Bs which were embargoed and so far 14 a/c have been delivered and 14 a/c are due to the PAF.
since USN is not releasing these 14 a/c, the US has to 'resolve' this 'open' issue by providing 14 EDA a/c (most probably blk 40s) or agree to sell 14 new models under FMS. - this will be resolved soon
fatman
the original tgt was 100 and i believe the PAF is still 'persuing' this objective!
at best expect 14 F-16 blk 40's from EDA stocks which will need a MLU
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) placed an order in early 2006 for 500 AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles under its $650m F-16 ammunition contract
AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) - Airforce Technology[/URL]
-----------------
-----------------
some jf17 info on different threads , posted in this single post--
JF-17 Thunder - Information Pool[/URL]
-----------------
-----------------
Pakistan selects Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod
Pakistan selects Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod :: F-16.net[/URL]
Details of the potential sale to Pakistan
Details of the potential sale to Pakistan :: F-16.net[/URL]
Item 1: 36 New F-16 Block 50/52s - $3 billion
The package for Pakistan's new F-16s also includes:
Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability.
The principal contractors will be:
Item 2: Weapons for F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft - $650 Million
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:
The principal contractors will be:
Item 3: F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification Kits - $1.3 billion
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU[/URL]) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of:
MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits;
Also included are radars, modems, receivers, installation, avionics, spare and repair parts, support equipment, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, system drawings, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and other related logistics elements necessary for full program support.
The estimated cost is $1.3 billion.
According to the DSCA, Pakistan intends to purchase the MLU Program equipment "to enhance survivability, communications connectivity, and extend the useful life of its F-16A/B fighter aircraft. The modifications and upgrades in this proposed sale will permit Pakistan's F-16A/B squadron to operate safely and enhance Pakistan's conventional deterrent capability. Pakistan's air fleet can readily use these updates to enhance and extend the life of its aircraft."
The principal contractors will be:
Item 4: F-16A/B Engine Modifications & UP/STAR - $151 Million
The third contract involves Engine Modifications and Falcon UP/STAR Structural Upgrades as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $151 million.
More specifically, the Government of Pakistan has requested engine improvements and structural modifications to its F-16 fleet, which includes a possible sale of:
The principal contractors will be:
Potential Controversies
The DSCA has said that "Release of this system would not significantly reduce India's quantitative or qualitative military advantage". India disagrees and military experts in Delhi will likely note that the same equipment (GPS, targeting pods, bunker-busters) that could potentially find uses against al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan's "lawless frontier" could also be used in precision strikes on India's military facilities in the event of war.
The DSCA counters that release of the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft to Pakistan "will neither affect the regional balance of power nor introduce a new technology as this level of capability or higher already exists in other countries in the region". India does operate more advanced SU-30MKI aircraft with R-77 "AMRAAMski" missiles, advanced avionics, et. al.; these are superior in range, armament, and maneuverability to Pakistan's F-16s and will remain so. Meanwhile, India's $7-10 billion MRCA competition is certain to introduce 125-200 aircraft that are certain to be more advanced than the F-16 Block 50/52.
The U.S. DSCA adds in its submission to Congress that "The modification of the engines and Falcon UP/STAR structural updates will provide capable F-16s that can be used for close air support in ongoing operations contributing to the GWOT." The DSCA also cites the June 2004 designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally in its submission. The British commander of NATO'sISAF force in Southern Afghanistan sees Pakistan's role in a rather different light, however; he recently noted that al-Qaeda in Afghanistan is still run out of Pakistan (specifically Quetta), with Pakistani knowledge and even support from Islamist elements in its security apparatus. Ah, the dynamics of counter-insurgency in tribal societies. Pakistan angrily denies this, of course.
India's objections to this sale have been muted thus far, and phrased carefully to emphasize their effect on India-Pakistan ties rather than India-U.S. ties. Meanwhile, President Bush's personal diplomacy approach has fostered a strong relationship with Gen. Musharraf that is inclined to view such requests favourably as part of the U.S.A.'s 3-corner balancing act in the region. Barring unusual circumstances, therefore, it's reasonable to expect this sale to go through with little more than a concerned speech or two in Congress.
Courtesy of Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
https://web.archive.org/web/2006101...il/PressReleases/36-b/2006/Pakistan_06-10.pdf
Pakistan – F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification Kits On 28 June 2006, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification kits as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.3 billion. The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of: APG-68(V)9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or APG-66(V)2 radar; Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems; AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems; Have Quick I/II Radios; Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals; SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability; Reconnaissance pod capability; Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units; MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits 21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM; 60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems; 1 Unit Level Trainer; and 10 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets. Also included are radars, modems, receivers, installation, avionics, spare and repair parts, support equipment, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, system drawings, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and other related logistics elements necessary for full program support. The estimated cost is $1.3 billion
meanbird
Actually, a unique feature of PAF is that almost everything it gets is customized. Even when we got the blk 15 F-16s in the 80s, they were customized and were slightly different from the standard blk 15 that were sold to other countries.
Even now, the MLU PAF F-16s are getting are customized rather than standard MLU-3 or MLU-4.
Let me try to explain
MLU-3 in made up of the following.
Automatic Target Hand-off System (ATHS)
Integration of anti radiation missile capability
Integration of target designator system
Further implementation of the Digital Terrain System
Integration of the Link-16 system
Integration of capability for GPS controlled weapons (GBU30/32)
Introduction of Helmet Mounted/Cueing Sight
Introduction of NVG compatible helmets
Where as the MLU 4 Tape has the following features which PAF is not aquiring because of financial crunch,
M4 tape contains in addition to above:
Introduction of advanced short-range missile, as a replacement for the current Sidewinder (AIM-9X, IRIS-T)
Integration of advanced Link-16 functions
Integration of SNIPER targeting pods
Here's what PAF is getting:
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU)modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of:
APG-68(V)9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or APG-66(V)2 radar;
Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems;
AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems;
AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems;
Have Quick I/II Radios;
Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals;
SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability;
Reconnaissance pod capability;
Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units;
MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits
21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency
Memory (DRFM) or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM;
60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems;
1 Unit Level Trainer; and
10 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets.
So you can see that everything there is just a customized upgrade rather then a MLU-3 or MLU-4. The only thing missing is integration of AIM-9X sidewinders(5th gen) because we are getting the AIM-9M sidewinders (the latest ones before the 5th gen).
Hope that explains it...so it is blk 50 standard
Here's a link to exactly what PAF is getting
http://www.dsca.mil/pressreleases/36...stan_06-10.pdf
Quote:
Falcon Star upgrade for the airframe life
Quote:
PAF F-16s will be brought up to blk 52 standard minus 3 things
1. there are no improvements to the Block 15s mission range and loiter time;
2. there are no engine improvements; and,
3. there are no improvements to payload capacity
It has other things that come with blk 52 like APG-68v9 radar, JHMCS, JDAM, AGM-84 Harpoon capability, etc
blain2
Pakistani blk 52 F-16s will have Goodrich DB-110 recce pods as per AFM. These are the most advanced recce pods on combat aircraft in service with NATO currently.
pshamim
Not just 18, Pakistan is now acquiring all 36 F-16s. This report in Defence Industry Daily now confirms what I have heard lately.
Quote:
May 23rd, 2010
On June 28/06, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Some of these items had been put on hold following the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan & Kashmir, but the request for 36 new F-16 Block 50/52s is now going ahead, along with new weapons, engine modifications, and upgrade kits for Pakistan’s older F-16 A/Bs.
Regarding the older F-16s, they are not just getting the standard MLU but the CCIP upgrade which will bring them up to Block-50/52+ standard.
fatman
32 original
14 EDA stocks (or transferred from USAF - embargoed)
46 total
01 attrition
45 to go upgrade
18 blk 52 under delivery
18 blk 52 option taken
81 total
expect the number to go to at-least 100.
6 sqdns inc a OCU
araz
According to Hkhan of pakdef.info the embargoed F16s will also be released in the fall of this yr. it is on grounds of the fact that USN is by law required to keep aircrafts that can be serviced by the inventory of parts that it holds.As these are BL15OCUs they no longer hold parts for them and therefore have to release them. As discussed with you earlier, I had heard that 14 new Bl52s were being acquired but it seems that PAF will take up all the available options of 18. Good news as long as we maintain a hefty load of spares on board!!
Araz
fatman
the bush admin had approved delivery of 28 F-16A/Bs which were embargoed and so far 14 a/c have been delivered and 14 a/c are due to the PAF.
since USN is not releasing these 14 a/c, the US has to 'resolve' this 'open' issue by providing 14 EDA a/c (most probably blk 40s) or agree to sell 14 new models under FMS. - this will be resolved soon
fatman
the original tgt was 100 and i believe the PAF is still 'persuing' this objective!
at best expect 14 F-16 blk 40's from EDA stocks which will need a MLU
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) placed an order in early 2006 for 500 AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM missiles under its $650m F-16 ammunition contract
AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) - Airforce Technology[/URL]
-----------------
-----------------
some jf17 info on different threads , posted in this single post--
JF-17 Thunder - Information Pool[/URL]
-----------------
-----------------
Pakistan selects Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod
Pakistan selects Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod :: F-16.net[/URL]
Details of the potential sale to Pakistan
Details of the potential sale to Pakistan :: F-16.net[/URL]
Item 1: 36 New F-16 Block 50/52s - $3 billion
The package for Pakistan's new F-16s also includes:
- 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPEs) and APG-68(V)9 radars;
- 7 spare F100-PW-229 IPE or F110-GE-129 IPE engines;
- 7 spare APG-68(V)9 radar sets;
- 36 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS);
- 36 AN/ARC-238 SINCGARS radios with HAVE QUICK I/II;
- 36 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs) that fit along the aircraft's sides to give them extra range;
- 36 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals; DID has covered the tactical uses of MIDS-LVT Link 16 systems;
- 36 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems;
- 36 APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems;
- 36 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites without Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM); or AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-178 Self-Protection Electronic Warfare Suites without DRFM;
- 1 Unit Level Trainer;
Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability.
The principal contractors will be:
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX;
- Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, TX;
- BAE Advanced Systems Greenlawn, NY;
- Boeing Corporation Seattle, WA;
- Boeing Integrated Defense Systems: St Louis, MO; Long Beach, CA; San Diego, CA;
- Raytheon Company: Lexington, MA; Goleta, CA;
- Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ;
- Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX;
- Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD;
- United Technology Company subsidiary Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT; or
- General Electric Aircraft Engines in Cincinnati, OH. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support and program management of the aircraft.
Item 2: Weapons for F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft - $650 Million
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:
- 500 AIM-120C5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles ([/URL][/URL]AMRAAM[/URL]);
- 12 AMRAAM training missiles
- these have seeker warheads, but lack engines;
- 200 AIM-9M-8/9 [/URL][/URL]Sidewinder[/URL] Short-Range Air-Air Missiles; they are the version before the fifth-generation AIM-9X;
- 240 LAU-129/A Launchers
- these support AMRAAM or Sidewinder missiles;
- 500 Joint Direct Attack Munition ([/URL][/URL]JDAM[/URL]) Guidance Kits: GBU-31/38 Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) kits;
- 1600 Enhanced-GBU-12/24 GBUs;
- 800 MK-82 500 pound General Purpose (GP) and MK-84 2,000 pound GP bombs;
- 700 BLU-109 2000 pound bunker-buster bombs with the FMU-143 Fuse; and,
- Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares, and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications, and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability will also be provided.
The principal contractors will be:
- BAE Advanced Systems in Greenlawn, NY;
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX;
- Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX;
- Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX; and,
- Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support, program management, and modification of the aircraft.
Item 3: F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification Kits - $1.3 billion
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU[/URL]) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of:
- APG-68(V)9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or the APG-66(V)2 radar;
- Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS);
- AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems;
- AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems;
- Have Quick I/II Radios;
- Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT);
- SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability;
- Reconnaissance pod capability;
- Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units (for training);
MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits;
- 21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM); or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM;
- 60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems;
- 1 Unit Level Trainer;
- 10 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets.
Also included are radars, modems, receivers, installation, avionics, spare and repair parts, support equipment, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, system drawings, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and other related logistics elements necessary for full program support.
The estimated cost is $1.3 billion.
According to the DSCA, Pakistan intends to purchase the MLU Program equipment "to enhance survivability, communications connectivity, and extend the useful life of its F-16A/B fighter aircraft. The modifications and upgrades in this proposed sale will permit Pakistan's F-16A/B squadron to operate safely and enhance Pakistan's conventional deterrent capability. Pakistan's air fleet can readily use these updates to enhance and extend the life of its aircraft."
The principal contractors will be:
- BAE Advanced Systems in Greenlawn, NY;
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX;
- Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, TX;
- Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems in Garland, TX; and,
- Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems in Baltimore, MD.
Item 4: F-16A/B Engine Modifications & UP/STAR - $151 Million
The third contract involves Engine Modifications and Falcon UP/STAR Structural Upgrades as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $151 million.
More specifically, the Government of Pakistan has requested engine improvements and structural modifications to its F-16 fleet, which includes a possible sale of:
- 14 F100-PW-220E engines;
- 14 Falcon UP/STAR F-16 structural upgrade kits;
- De-modification and preparation of 26 aircraft;
- Support equipment;
- Software development/integration;
- Modification kits;
- Spares, and repair parts;
- Flight test instrumentation;
- Publications and technical documentation;
- Personnel training and training equipment;
- U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to support the program.
The principal contractors will be:
- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX; and,
- United Technology Company subsidiary Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT.
Potential Controversies
The DSCA has said that "Release of this system would not significantly reduce India's quantitative or qualitative military advantage". India disagrees and military experts in Delhi will likely note that the same equipment (GPS, targeting pods, bunker-busters) that could potentially find uses against al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan's "lawless frontier" could also be used in precision strikes on India's military facilities in the event of war.
The DSCA counters that release of the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft to Pakistan "will neither affect the regional balance of power nor introduce a new technology as this level of capability or higher already exists in other countries in the region". India does operate more advanced SU-30MKI aircraft with R-77 "AMRAAMski" missiles, advanced avionics, et. al.; these are superior in range, armament, and maneuverability to Pakistan's F-16s and will remain so. Meanwhile, India's $7-10 billion MRCA competition is certain to introduce 125-200 aircraft that are certain to be more advanced than the F-16 Block 50/52.
The U.S. DSCA adds in its submission to Congress that "The modification of the engines and Falcon UP/STAR structural updates will provide capable F-16s that can be used for close air support in ongoing operations contributing to the GWOT." The DSCA also cites the June 2004 designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally in its submission. The British commander of NATO'sISAF force in Southern Afghanistan sees Pakistan's role in a rather different light, however; he recently noted that al-Qaeda in Afghanistan is still run out of Pakistan (specifically Quetta), with Pakistani knowledge and even support from Islamist elements in its security apparatus. Ah, the dynamics of counter-insurgency in tribal societies. Pakistan angrily denies this, of course.
India's objections to this sale have been muted thus far, and phrased carefully to emphasize their effect on India-Pakistan ties rather than India-U.S. ties. Meanwhile, President Bush's personal diplomacy approach has fostered a strong relationship with Gen. Musharraf that is inclined to view such requests favourably as part of the U.S.A.'s 3-corner balancing act in the region. Barring unusual circumstances, therefore, it's reasonable to expect this sale to go through with little more than a concerned speech or two in Congress.
Courtesy of Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
https://web.archive.org/web/2006101...il/PressReleases/36-b/2006/Pakistan_06-10.pdf
Pakistan – F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification Kits On 28 June 2006, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update Modification kits as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.3 billion. The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits consisting of: APG-68(V)9 with Synthetic Aperture Radar or APG-66(V)2 radar; Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; AN/APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems; AN/ALE-47 Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser Systems; Have Quick I/II Radios; Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals; SNIPER (formerly known as AN/AAQ-33 PANTERA) targeting pod capability; Reconnaissance pod capability; Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation Units; MDE included in the MLU modification and structural upgrade kits 21 ALQ-131 Block II Electronic Countermeasures Pods without the Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) or ALQ-184 Electronic Countermeasures Pods without DRFM; 60 ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management Systems; 1 Unit Level Trainer; and 10 APG-68(V)9 spare radar sets. Also included are radars, modems, receivers, installation, avionics, spare and repair parts, support equipment, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, publications and technical documentation, system drawings, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, and other related logistics elements necessary for full program support. The estimated cost is $1.3 billion
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