ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: The delivery of six C-130 planes from the United States has been delayed as the aircraft are being overhauled. This was stated by the deputy chief of air staff operations, Air Vice-Marshal Shahzad Aslam Chaudhry, here on Thursday at a briefing held at the Air Headquarters (AHQ).

He said the aircraft promised by the US were old and needed overhauling.

About the delay, he said that the US was keeping the PAF informed about the daily developments through different communication means.

AVM Chaudhry said that the two F-16s being given by the US as a gesture of goodwill were likely to be delivered by December. He said negotiations for the 75 F-16s were going on.

Replying to a question if PAF was fixated on F-16s because of their symbolic value, he said that the PAF had other options as well but opted for F-16s after detailed analysis of two years.

AVM Chaudhry said the PAF took the decision to go for the F-16s as the aircraft had the capability to deliver and were within the available means.

He said if enough funds were available, the PAF would like to get high-tech aircraft like F-22s which had a cost tag of $220 million per piece or the Joint Strategic Fighter valued at $100 million each bird.

He said the JF-17 Thunder production project was on target and on completion would equip the PAF with medium tech aircraft in addition to the high tech F-16s.