Regarding Procurement of Peace Gate III/IV F-16s block 15OCU
Peace Gate I F-16A Block-15 = 2 (Delivered)
Peace Gate I F-16B Block-15 = 4 (Delivered)
Peace Gate II F-16A Block-15 = 26 (Delivered)
Peace Gate II F-16B Block-15 = 8 (Delivered)
Peace Gate III/IV F-16A block 15OCU = 13 (Embargoed)
Peace Gate III/IV F-16B block 15OCU = 15 (Embargoed)
In total 28 paid-for aircrafts were undelivered after the embargo of early 1990s, Pakistan had already paid $685 million for these aircrafts.
We got back 14 of these Peace Gate III/IV F-16s block 15OCU
They were never deemed unworthy or unfit for induction by PAF nor by anyone else for that matter; rather Pakistan always argued that it is completely unfair on part of US to not make the delivery.
they were put in 'Flyable Hold' for 5 years, during which time 85% of each aircraft's fuel system was preserved with JP-9, and each aircraft had its engine run once every 45 days. The Airframe remained in almost mint condition, Airframe only aged 6 hours. This low air-time figure, plus the fact that these aircraft are the most modern F-16A/B's built, is the main reason why countries interested in second-hand F-16s first look at the Pakistani airframes. That is why in March 96 US sold these aircrafts to Indonesia and later in 1998 to New Zealand – but lucky for us the sales did not go through.
When the deal for new block 52+ was made in Sept 30/06 the
USA also agreed to deliver 26 of the “Peace Gate III/IV” F-16A/B Block 15OCUs that had been ordered in 1988-1989. After the embargo, the planes had been diverted for use as aggressor combat training aircraft by USAF and the US Navy. That was done in 2002 when US stopped trying to sell these aircrafts to other countries.
In 2006 deal Pakistan had requested a possible sale of 60 F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits, why 60?
Remember till 2006 when this deal was reached PAF had lost 8 of its F-16s out of total 40 PG I/II aircrafts, so PAF was left with 32 at the time of new deal, 28 were our Embargoed F-16 still with US (USAF and US Navy) so it was understood plain and simple that
60 MLU kit = for 32 F-16 Block 15 PGI/II + 28 F-16 block 15OCU PG III/IV . To my understanding Pakistan wasn’t paying upfront for an engraved on a stone 60 MLU kits rather payments made in batches, but deal was with an understanding of up to 60 kits/upgrades.
InsideDefense.com made an interesting observation that Pakistan doesn’t have 60 F-16s to upgrade. The clear implication is that the Pakistani government is interested in buying either used F-16s and upgrading them or Pakistan will be receiving the undelivered F-16 block 15 from Peace Gate III/IV and then upgrade them.
Later these Aircrafts –
by the efforts of Gen Musharraf and Air Chief Tanveer Ahmed - were declared
Excess Defence Articles[*] by US. And thus PAF initially got 14 of our 28 embargoed F-16 Back with a MLU kit ready for the upgrade in process.
[*]The Defense Security Cooperation Agency is responsible for administering the Department of Defense's Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. Working under authorities established in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, defense articles declared as excess by the Military Departments can be offered to foreign governments or international organizations in support of U. S. national security and foreign policy objectives. Typically, EDA is transferred to support U. S. allies in their modernization efforts
Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Ahmed
“More recently we got some of these aeroplanes (F-16 block 15OCU - Peace Gate III/IV), after 9/11 I continued to insist on the US Air Chief that I need these aeroplanes, they are my aircrafts, they were built for us and we have a sentimental attachment with them. Of course they were very sparingly used so I want them back. So he was very kind, he agreed and finally these aircrafts were declared Excess Defence Articles and we almost got them for nothing. These 14 aircrafts – 12 are in our country, 2 are with Lockheed Martin for upgrade, the 14 (remaining) aircrafts that are with US Navy they are my aircrafts with them, I continue to claim them, I am sure one day we will be able to get them too.“
First 1 min 12 secs on the Peace Gate III/IV F-16s
Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed Interview - September 7, 2008 - YouTube
Content references:
Pakistan In Line for Massive Arms Deal
$5.1B Proposed Sales, Upgrades, Weapons Pakistan’s F-16s
http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/mishaps-and-accidents/airforce/PAF/
Asia Times Online :: South Asia news - Pakistan heading for a crackdown
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article14.html
http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/
thx again for repling good job.
