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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering a Jordanian offer to buy sixteen used F-16 jets in lieu of the eight advanced fighters it could not buy from the United States because of a financing row, but officials fear Washington could still throw a spanner in the works.
The case for the purchase of F-16s from the US is closed, “we are now going for a third party transfer of F-16s and have an offer from Jordan”, Defence Secretary retired Lt Gen Alam Khattak told a joint sitting of the Senate committees on defence and foreign affairs, which had been asked by Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani to review the current state of Pak-US ties and suggest the way forward.
The fiasco over procurement of F-16s, which started with Congress blocking the funding of the sale from the US government’s Foreign Military Financing Programme, brought into focus the underlying strains in Washington-Islamabad ties because of Pakistan’s alleged inadequate action against the Taliban, Haqqani network and Lashkar-i-Taiba and concerns over the scope and pace of development of its missile and nuclear programme.
Editorial: US pressure once again
Pakistani officials contend that the reasons for which US Congress withheld the financing were non-negotiable. However, the episode has forced the government to rethink its strategy of not having lobbyists in Washington and a couple of lobbying firms are expected to be hired shortly for the country’s image correction and improving relations with Congress.
Secretary Khattak conceded that the used Block-30 F-16s being offered by Jordan were not of the same quality and standard as the Block-52 that were originally intended to be bought from the US.
The Jordanian aircraft, which were manufactured in 1988/90 and upgraded in 2001/02, may have to be upgraded again to meet Pakistan Air Force’s current demands. But Pakistan, after losing the opportunity to buy new jets from the US, may immediately need them to replace the Block-15 F-16s currently in PAF’s inventory, which are due to be retired in the next couple of years.
Pakistan had earlier in 2014 bought around a dozen F-16s from Jordan, which has been modernising its fleet.
The defence secretary observed that for the state-of-the-art fifth generation fighters Russian and French markets would have to be explored.
Another defence ministry official Rear Admiral Mukhtar Khan, however, said the US had so far not objected to the deal with Jordan, but under the current environment getting American approval for the sale, a mandatory requirement, would not be easy to manage.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the meeting that the government was right in not accepting the US conditions. “If the conditions affect national interest, it is better not to accept them. It was an issue of choices,” he contended while deliberating on the reasons that led to the cancellation of the F-16 deal with the US.
The Haqqani network, he said, was not a simple issue and could have caused a blowback. Moreover, he noted, the matter was linked to the border management, which the Afghan government had been resisting.
Mr Aziz further said the US had been conveyed that Pakistan would respond to the increasing imbalance in the region because of the Indo-US defence cooperation through maintaining its strategic deterrence.
He said the move for appointment of a lobbyist had been started and short-listing of prospective firms was being done.
The government has so far remained averse to hiring the lobbyist. The military, in view of the intended defence procurements including the F-16s, had last year advised the government to hire a lobbying firm, but the proposal was shot down ostensibly because of apprehensions that the lobbyist may be used by the military for its own promotion.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry in his testimony said that there could be no compromise on the nuclear programme and blamed the US for causing a setback to Afghan reconciliation efforts by acting in haste and eliminating Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a drone attack.
A number of members of the committees differed with the government explanation on not acting against the Haqqani network and Taliban.
Farhatullah Babar of the PPP said the meeting should be an occasion of introspection rather than bravado.
He regretted that after the killing of Mullah Mansour jihad was again flaunted as an instrument of policy with the Difa-i-Pakistan Council, a conglomerate of radical groups, being allowed to hold rallies.
He worried that isolation would be Pakistan’s destiny unless a course correction was undertaken.
Javed Abbasi, retired Brig John Kenneth Williams, Karim Khawaja and retired Lt Gen Salahuddin Tirmizi too expressed their concerns.
Chairman of the Defence Committee Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who co-chaired the meeting with Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Nuzhat Sadiq, said that a strategic shift in the US policy towards the region was visible.
He believed that US actions like the killing of Mullah Mansour depicted confusion in its policy on Afghanistan.
He stressed the need for institutionally strengthening the Foreign Office so that institutional decision-making by the National Security Committee, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet and the Defence Council be promoted instead of a reactive ad hoc approach which drifts from crisis to crisis.
Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2016
Comments (179) Closed
Check the mileage before you buy, may be later for parts repair, it might become expensive.
Keep the discussions open we would appreciate that
There were no conditions, except pay cash and carry the purchase.
Why do you want to buy old technology of 1988. In the modern world those planes are pieces of junk. Spend money on Research and Development. Hire brilliant minds and pay them well. You will see the miracle done by those young minds.
How much is Pak planning to spend here?
Time for the government to act in earnest.. It is extremely important that Pakistan hire several lobbyist groups to safeguard our strong ties and relationship with the US. The US should also be careful to not lose such a close ally like Pakistan with whom it has shared a strong friendship since the early 50's. Both countries need to quit bickering and move forward!
Something is better than nothing atleast Block-30 F-16s are better off than current Block-15 F-16s with Pakistan. Russian and French options are not viable, they are very expensive and the whole squadron would need re-training...
Finally they are talking sensibly
Why Pakistan need F-16 to fight terrorists? I guess Jordan isn't offering any discounts and Pakistan has to pay full amount to buy these second hand flying machines
Or buy tejas from India. :)
Now the Chinese Junk JF-17 which even the chinese wont use, seems to be only choice. Chinese junk is the only low priced stuff that Pakistan can afford. French/Russians military equipment are expensive and Pakistan has to pay for it.
Used F16. Are you crazy. What about regular maintenance and spares. Where is the technology?
How much will they cost and how do we pay?
Chinese JF-17s not good enough?
Jordan upgrading its airforce by replacing F 16s with modern combat jets and Pakistan is equipping itself with them. Enough for defence preparedness.
This seems like a new car transaction for Jordan. They want new fighter jets. So we'll sell their used fleet and buy a new set. Pakistan will buy the used/second hand fighters, repair/modernise them and then use them.
Instead they can buy Tejas...
Why not spend this money on educating the masses and the young so that they can make the right choices and slowly but steadily change Pakistan in to one of the major powers of this region?? Why buy obsolete technology?? Why waste all this potential that we have??
2nd hand vehicle sounds like a good idea. How old are these Jordanian planes?
well, something is better than nothing.
Is it really must to buy used F-16 jets from jordan that too obsolete 2001-02 models.
Looks like an used F16 is better than JF17.
second hand enough to take down terrorists.
Used one!!
Pakistan obsession with F16 continues.
Guys your JF 17 thunders are of world class then why you are using second hand used F-16.
Still pakistan has to pay full amount and there will be costly maintenance cost.
This is the way to go. Don't depend on foreign aid. And now world is eager to see how effectively Pakistan uses these F-16 against terrorists!
Pakistanis call these f1-6s obsolete and junk whereas they call there jf-17s best in the world, second to f-22. But still they are desperate to buy some f-16s. Wonder what's wrong with them.
If can't afford a new one, buy a second hand.
why used ones? Why don't buy the new ones at commercial rates?
Finally some good sense has prevailed after so many mountains out of a small mole-hill. The US just did not want its aid to be used for weaponry that can be used outside the region. After all, the optional USAID was to help the nation fight internal militancy - a duty that lies normally within any responsible nation's own purview, like for instance what Bangladesh is doing, without regurgitating decades-old history of who started the militancy. Using that aid for survival and demanding favors has been an art perfected by the boys.
Why so desperate for 20 to 25 years old f16? JF17 are not worthy? ?
US directed Pakistan an other shop to buy F16 as second hand, used plane. Definitely, Pakistan has no option because Pakistan needs spare parts and chain of supply from US or their allied. Jordan is one of them.
Not bad
When you will make by yourself ??
@Global peace looks like Pakistan is too emotional so trying prove a point to US so chasing f16. Why not show such a desperation say to reconstruct schools that were destroyed. Pakistan will end up buying sub standard f16 for more cost rather than a quality f16 without us subsidy
Why Pakistan defence authorities are obsessed with F16s? Surely there are better if not equally good alternatives to them! Look elsewhere guys. I wish Pakistani govt had more backbone against American authorities!
Long Live Pak-US friendship ! Friend in need is a friend indeed ! Fair weather frirnds
Cant understand why an F-16 is needed to kill terrorists. US is using drones successfully inside Pak to kill the main leaders. Pak can easily do that if they can get one of those Chinese drones. Somehow Pak seems to have not enough confidence about Chinese made military equipments and depending on US for any high tech weaponry. This does not augur well for the so called "high as himalayas" friendship with their "iron brothers".
@Global peace,Not enough cash in hand.
Why F-16 is so precious that we have to buy 26-27 years old fighters for the current needs?
@Mohit (US) Not too much. Any gift will be appreciate
Jordan got a good deal!!
Finally an Islamic biradar mulk came in support. These shouldnt be called second hand these are used my 'self' because users also were muslims.
Excellent journalism indeed by the writer/editor. This article highlights the funds constrain, trust deficit between USA and Pakistan, trust deficit between Pak Army and Political leadership on issues such as lobbyists, it also highlights Pakistan policy priorities and its impact on strategic purchases and super power partnerships, and the headlines sum it up, to buy low quality 2 decade old aircraft as a part of re-sale program.
Is it being subsidized?
French have no plan to built fifth generation fighter jet yet . Russia yet to induct Fifth generation fighter jet further it yet to develop export version of fifth generation. US export version of fifth generation is so expensive that one unit cost equal to five F 16 or eight J 17. Pakistan have taken right decision to buy used F 16s , as it will same money . One problem with used plane is its maintainance cost which must be sorted out before cracking the deal.
Exploring 5th generation fighter planes ... For public consumption ... Buying second hand 1988 old planes ... Reality
Why is Pakistan so fixed on F-16s?
F-16 will be history in 2020. It is time for P.A.F to come up with a weapon it's own. Twin engine, long interdiction, all weather multi role fighter with low observable characteristics.
@Sri1 fantastic comment!
So Pakistan is making balance in south Asia with used , low quality F 16s against modern aircraft fleet of India .
India has gone ahead and developed its own LCA Teejas. Since Pakistan wants to compete with everything India does militarily, Pakistan should also develop its own fighter aircraft.
I find this very puzzling. Pakistan considers China its all-weather friend, an iron-brother; some even go to say themselves as being a province of China. So why not depend on China for military support should some evil forces decide to attack. Why not use all spare funds to build infrastructure, educational institutes, hospitals and better work-life environment for Pakistanis, instead of making rich politicians richer ?
India is on verge to induct fifth generation fighter jet before end of this decade and retiring all jet below 4.5 generation in few months or year. Whereas as Pakistan struggling to jet used low quality F 16s. The gap between IAF and PAF is widening year by year . Yet some take about balance in South Asia .
A very good decision by the Government. It's OK to buy used F-16
A very good decision by the Government. Jordan won't offer us a huge list of "Do more" list in exchange of the F-16s
They maybe old but Pakistan has the technical knowhow to manage these planes.
@NAVIK Get those Tejas to fly first mate
Pakistan has had good experience with the F-16 platform, so adding them would not require any special training from flying or maintenance point of view.
I believe all F-16 of PAF are upgraded to Block 52.
JF-17 is a good platform but not as advanced as the Block 52. Moreover, they will be replacing A5, F7s and eventually the Mirage.
Thats the most cost effective option.
Pakistan should come out from F-16 deals if we are not going to buy block 52+ from Jordan, else Russian SU-35 should be preference because we also need maritime security and SU-35 is the top best.
@Rohit Nothing wrong with us, it is your verbal jerk dance that make you dizzy and ask the same questions. Pakistan requirements of F16 were set long ago so people like you should not be upset, worried or concerned.You do what you do best: brag about how you are getting the latest and greatest from France but know deep down what is happening with Teja that was supposed to replace MIG-21...at least decade ago?
If Pakistan take strict action against the militancy and other related things, Pakistan does not need to fear either militants (under the claim that it needs F-16s to fight against terrorism) or India (F-16 to contain India).
It is not a good idea to buy old junk. It is better to buy new technology from Russia, you need better flying machine and Russia need business.
Proof we are a superpower !
Why we not buying the Chinese JF 17's from our iron brothers.
Just buy a few Euro fighter typhoon! Even block 60 f 16 is no match for it! 91% against 78% rating 2.5 mach against 2.0 mach rated excellent !
No matter how Crook Pakistani Government officials are treated by the Americans in all aspects, they just cannot ignore the love and passion they have for them.
Pakistan should look out for S-300 option from Russia. Also for Aircraft Russians are equally ahead.
Our Experts made us believe JF 16 is equivalent to Sukio 30 and 35. can anyone speak to truth. we are made to believe all false information and we endup in the bad side of the deal always. our words and action dont match. quidiaasm's vision of the country was not this.
@Sam JF-17 uses Russian RD-33 engine, which is a fail Russian project for MIG-33.
If Pakistan can build Nuks then why not built F-16's
When JF-17 was brought on surface, the authorities claimed that it the best. Now why are the authorities are crying like a baby for F-16? What kind of people are there in respective department of our country, they don't know the concept of buying a product and developing vendor management sense?
I am sure pakistan is not gonna buy the jets , it is just they are showing, that they dont care US.
@Rohan Desai If they work
So this is the master plan, if you can't by f-16 directly from us, by them from a third country? Somebody tell these neanderthals that you have to deal with the us no matter where you by the f-16 from!
Is this time Jordan has subsidized the deal like US refused to do. If yes, then Jordan is a "True" friend.
First of all, these are used Planes, That means these are of no use or less use for Jordan, that's why they wants to dispose off, may be due to high cost of maintenance or back dated quality, Secondly, again Pakistan has to move towards US for its spares & service.
India is ready to Sale "Tejas" to pakistan..new one not second hand.
@Rohan Desai . Pakistan needs F16 if India do offer then most welcome?
@PB But nothing is better than worst.
Pakistan should look other suppliers then F16 there are lots of other good manufacturers around the world which may offer better jets then F16
Pakistan should go for Saab JAS 39 Gripen, or Mitsubishi F-2 or F15 J or which are cheaper and not less reliable then Block 52
If you really wana stick to F16 you can guy Korean assembled F16 block 52 assembled by Samsung, under name KF16, I think our defense ministry wana stick to those suppliers who can worm their pockets as well
Very well said indeed. Isolation will ultimately be Pakistan's destiny.
So ultimately Pakistan decides to go for a 26 year old plane?
I have not seen any country relying so much on second hand equipment for military might. More suprised to find Pakistan giving preference to 1980 technologies over chinies latest technology.
@TG because F-16 is made by USA and not China.
America just withdrew the discount on F16 , Pakistan could have paid the full amount and bought the jet. There was no "compromise of national interest". Pakistan always talks of parity with India but surrenders when asked to pay as Indians. If you are competing with someone then prove that you are worthy even of being taken seriously.
Instead of buying these old useless planes spend the money on growing the economy, education and health for the people of this country.
"under the current environment getting American approval for the sale, a mandatory requirement," It is an exciting line. Power is power.
@Sunil Jordan is very tiny country f16 doesn't fly very much over there. Mileage shouldn't be an issue.
We can never understand our Military and their obsession of F-16 or USA. There are many other options available in open market, but they seem to give a wrong impression that they cannot live without F-16. Buying junk from common Pakistanis taxes. I am pretty clear Pakistani Generals are thoroughly brainwashed in Washington. COAS recent remarks about drones are an example.
Talk about 5th generation planes and then buy junk. Not surprised at all. Talk comes cheap whereas latest planes cost money.
@INDIAN LOVE .. fighter planes do not fight by itself. It doesn't really matter if it is first generation plane or fifth generation planes. Fight will always be between pilots not planes.
For PAF its a long and painful journey from "Second to None" to "Second hand Gun"
Sorry state of economic condition in the country
@Khurram "2nd hand vehicle sounds like a good idea. How old are these Jordanian planes?" Only 28yrs old!!!
@Patriotic What about the money required to buy those plans? Russia has not announced any subsidy on them.
When we can buy highly sophisticated JF-17 at a very cheap price from China why we have to buy these F-16 junks from Jordan? Is it a free offer?
Over reliance on one-type of aircraft, and one source for parts and upgrades for PAF, reveals its vulnerability. There are also underlying risks to the nation's air defenses, when it willingly hands some leverage and exposes itself to potential blackmail, when you announce to the world, those are the only fighter jets we need!!!
Guess there is no other fighter jet besides f16
Why this desperation by Pakistan to acquire US technology even when it is outdated and inferior?
People here talking about getting Su 35. It's a twin engine air craft. PAF does not have even a single twin engine aircraft because they cannot afford it, it's expensive to Maintain. You guys better stick to your world class jf17.
@raj F-16 migth be second hand but they FLY combat missions , how many tejas FLY combat missions with IAF,,, ZERO,, u should try our JF 17 coz they actually FLY combat missions
Why on earth do you need F-16s?
India selling Mig 21s . Pakistan should buy those.
Why not some J10s? They are touted to be equivalent to F16s and cost about 40 mil a piece. It doesn't even seem to be on the table. Am I missing something?
@Rajdeep, Bangalore
I am amazed they could afford these second hand jets. Considering they are amongst the poorest states in the world there priorities should be different.
@S Karani
China is focused on its own strategic goals.Only in Pakistan,the politicians show them as brotherly nation to get over there own failures to deliver on any promise.
why not buy more drones cheaply? or better still allegiances from the Taliban can be had at lower prices and will be more effective.
Why the used F16s and why not Chinsese JFs? Even pakistan know that chinese products are sub standards items and useless toys that is why pak must have felt thst /second hand f16s are better than chinese products that too 1980s stuff. Congratulations.
Rather increase expenditure in education , public health.
For russian 5gen aircraft you can negotiate pricing with india. May be as a special gift we can give discounts as a project partner.
@TG : If Pakistan can build Nuks then why not built F-16's Simply because Pakistan did not build the "Nuks". Pakistan got them from China.
For Pakistanis suggesting that it should try purchasing Russian and French jets, please remember that they would not give any subsidy at the first place. Secondly, the foreign relations of Pakistan is not good with any other country in the world except China, why Russia and France would give you the jets. Thirdly, India has France and Russia as their major weapons partner, what makes Pakistanis believe that they will obey to Pakistani requests.
USA are trying to NATOise South Asia that should include India ; all of it is geared against China and its strategic ally Pakistan. For this China and Pakistan have to reinforce their strategic and defence cooperation.
@Ravi very good comments .
This way the government will save lot of money. nice idea.
There is only one country in the world which gets war-planes from USA without conditions and it it it's proxy Israel.
Second hand sale!!
@Unbiased Russia and France are not beholden to India they are sovereign states and we also use their equipment like French Mirage Jets and Agusta submarines ,we bought some helicopters from Russia just last year, so what makes You think that they will pay heed to you especially the Russians now that you want to be in US camp against China and eventually Russia
@Nag You guys are not technical partners only limited financial partners with no influence on RUSSIAN decisionmaking anyways and Sukhoi PAKFA still has a few years before its available for anyone
Each citizen in Pakistan is under huge amount of loan i.e RS101000. How foolish these Pakistani Govt is instead of spending money in education they are spending money to buy second hand fighter jet which is of no use. This show the downfall of Pakistan.
@Ravi Why would we pay more than what the AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION had agreed with us , if the American government couldn't get it through their own congress cos of their internal politics or lobbyist or whatever than i think its more of a reflection on the inability of American executive.
There are always up and down in the relation with US but with time it will be good again so hope for the best and good luck.
@Mittha Khan We don't need to influence Russians either. Indo-relation friendship was tested in 1971 war. We trust Russia more than any other country.
Why buy used F16.why not buy brand new aircraft from good and dear friend China which may give it on loan too...
I heard some people in Pakistan told that F16 is obsolete but I can see here Pak military is dying to buy this tool even they are fine with second hand.
After Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, F16 will soon be lost in time and become a history of well known fighters ever built.
Move forward and consider Chinese J-10 or even better J-11 which is based on the 4th generation, air superiority Russian-design fighter, Sukhoi Su-27.
Pakistan has gone from seeking "arms" to seeking "alms".
@Sunil - We couldn't have done it without "Check the mileage" advice...very valuable!!!
This probably means that even Jordan has better fighter planes than Pakistan.
Whatever we buy fighter planes or else it must be very properly checked because it could be bugged with spy devices...
Chairman of the Defence Committee Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who co-chaired the meeting with Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee Nuzhat Sadiq, said that a strategic shift in the US policy towards the region was visible.
He believed that US actions like the killing of Mullah Mansour depicted confusion in its policy on Afghanistan.
I think the confusion persists in Pakistan among Pakistani policy wonks. US actions like the killing of terrorists is a good policy for Afghanistan and the region.
Why Pakistan's needle is time and again ticking on F-16s. Do not make Pakistan a museum of obsolete technologies. Please think advance; move advance.
@farooq
Agreed; Jordanians are moving to next generation fighter plans.
@Akbar Well said.
@Zafar True.
Is it really that necessary to purchase 16 old technology F16 when we actually demanded 8 New tech F16 fightets.
These planes will have wheels and engines but very little avionics. Israel has already had them removed . Go for fly pass parades. Real ones are in the east of the border
The PAF had earlier acquired 13 F-16s from Jordan, so acquiring some more from Jordan is the right thing to do. Though these jets are old, they will still serve PAF's counterterrorism operations. NATO combat mission in Afghanistan ended, but the war did "not". Therefore, PAF's role and responsibility have increased.
This will avoid further embarrassment for President Obama, who had approved advanced F-16s for PAF, but some US Congressmen made it an issue in this election year. The people of Pakistan thank President Obama for his support, and Jordan which has close brotherly relations with Pakistan. Together we can achieve peace.
Congratulations on getting F 16s
End of the drama..good that Pakistan is showing some spine here!
With buying 8 state of the art submarines from China Pakistan will be able to service chinese submarines in Gwadar. Pakistan should streamline her airforce to be compatible with the chinese too. China will sell Pakistan 5th generation stelth fighter if Pakistan approach Beijing.
As per details Americans refused to give F-16 on discounted price, the matter could have been resolved with better diplomacy indeed.
not good idea, buy the new from Russia,think about parts and repair
@Shah Research and development need more money than buying 8 new planes. Much more money.
Always Pakistan first.
@Mittha Khan One squadron is inducted already and more are going to be.
@Mittha Khan Tejas after more than 4000 flying hours has a record of not even a single malfunction or mishap.
@Patriotic Russia demands hard cash in full.
@TG Because fighter jet technology can not be stolen or even reverse-engineered as was discovered to much dismay of China.
@Mittha Khan "....bought some helicopters from Russia". India "invested" billions in Russian arms industry. And not to speak of billions of dollars of Russian weapons that India has been and still buys from Russia.
@ABC One of the current deals is $10 billion aircraft carrier purchase from Russia.
This is good. Pakistan will buy from our brother Jordan. Our brother Turkey will upgrade it for sure. It will be good as new. Thanks to our brother Jordan and Turkey. Or Pakistan/ China will reverse it open it then can be use for JF-17. Long live Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan.
Used F16s still better then anything India has in its arsenal. Tejas can barely get of the ground. Used F16s would fly circles around IAF.
Few days ago, I wanted to buy a new T. Shirt but I didn't had money. So I didn't bought that. I didn't ask for loan from world Bank. Not even choose a second hand t-shirt with torn collar. Interestingly I not even blamed world for conspiring against me. And now I have released that I didn't even needed that T shirt. I was simply competing with a rich friend of mine.
This is a symbolic purchase to show the world that Pakistan has the ability to get the things they want and nothing can stop them. Lets see we do the same to get into NSG.
@Rohan Desai There is big cover story in an aviation magazine about Teja by none other than your own "Indian" expert that will fly in your and other Indians faces at least at subsonic speed. Please educate yourself be objective
I think Pakistan should close the chapter of F16s new or used, focus on enhancing JF17 (Blk3, Blk4, Blk5, Blk6, Blk X) and look for alternates, J10C, Su35, J31
why are we so hung up on F 16 fighter planes.. let us compare.. there might be some better air crafts...wonder how many F 16 China has. It is a matter of opinion...
A Ferrari is a Ferrari anytime, it will do the job if it got mechanics and drivers in right mind .Anyway the falcons are wanted for the reason of bombarding frontier regions so no worries, they can do that task , but air to air combat is out of question as they don't have composite or stealth material that is there in new viper along with its very advance avionics and networking features for BVR engaments, so air to ground is fine and that's about it .they have no survival chance in today's network centric air combat scenerio.
@Shah correct but for their role in air to ground, they are suitable.
Why is our Airforce hooked to the F-16s....
@farooq It means Jordan has a better and stronger economy than Pakistan.
@anon 'Invested billions in Russian arms really' , i doubt that mate but if you did thankyou coz some of that will help us when we get the weapons you guys 'Invested' in. As you increase military ties with US we will do the same with Russia, thats how it works in these so called 'Great Games'
@anon congrats but my point was that after thirty years of development its not combat ready/ tested like JF 17 which has done live bomb runs against Taliban
@SB Many countries relying on old and useless military products especially Indian, China and Pakistan. India and China buys out naval fleet and ships from other countries . There is nothing wrong in buying old aircraft only thing will it usable after 5 years ?
They forget to mention 'second hand'.
@Aamed1980 And this F16's can be easy kill for SU30MKI's
If Pakistan concentrated more on education and economy as well as reforming the tax system over the past few decades rather than Mullahs - it would have been able to buy the best defences without resorting to begging.
@bharat dear u have 600 million people below poverty line... 3 times more then pakistani population.., i believe this comment doesnt suit u
@Akil Akhtar because we believe in standardisation and dont induct 17 types of platforms ... It is part of professional practices
@Aditya, Pakistan Air Force is still superior to the Indians even if they buy the old ones, and when it comes to the quality and heart of the pilots, one can't even compare, Indians would have to have bionic implants just to try to keep up with our pilots. Don't believe me? Ask the American generals, they claim,that if they had Pakistani soldiers and pilots, they could conquer the world, proof is in the pudding
buying F-16's from Jordan is a good option but Pakistan should also go for J-10's
Check to see if there are refurbished ones too.
Finally it is the financial balance sheet which makes the difference. Pakistan could not get new ones as they wanted US Tax payers to pay for them as alms. Pakistan had money to buy old ones ,well they got it.
@Sami Shahid Don't buy F 16s from anywhere You will still be dependent on others for parts.
Why are so many Indian so upset about Pakistan buying used F 16s . They should be happy that Pakistan is buying junk and wasting its money. This act of PAF buying used F16s should work in their favor and India should be happy.