August 17, 2008	Sunday	Sha'aban 14, 1429

WASHINGTON, Aug 16: The United States has released $116 million to finance mid-life upgrades for Pakistan’s aging fleet of F-16 fighter planes.

The US administration will provide a total of $474 million to Pakistan for this purpose. Pakistan had already received the first tranche of $108 million.

Last month, the Bush administration accepted Pakistan’s request to shift $230 million from counter-terrorism funds for this purpose.

Normally, counter-terrorism funds cannot be used for buying such weapons but the Bush administration said it accepted Pakistan’s request because it wanted to help “a strong ally faced with a difficult financial situation.”

The mid-life updates will provide these older aircraft with the same level of technology installed in the current models of F-16s.

The mid-life enhancements will also provide the Pakistan Air Force with the technological capability to conduct precision close air strikes, non-traditional intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.

Under this arrangement, Pakistan also receives advanced avionics and radar upgrades and communications and targeting systems that will enable real-time communication with ground forces. The new equipment will also generate ground position data that can be used to direct guided munitions to a target.

The updates will allow Pakistan to employ F-16s for night-time operations as well.

India and pro-Indian lawmakers in the US Congress, however, have strongly opposed Washington’s decision to divert counter-terrorism funds for F-16s, claiming that new airborne capabilities will be used against India.