The Media Line: US Approves $686 Million F-16 Upgrade Package for Pakistan  

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US Approves $686 Million F-16 Upgrade Package for Pakistan  

By Arshad Mehmood/The Media Line 

The United States has approved a $686 million sale of advanced technology, support, and equipment for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet, a move Washington says will strengthen Islamabad’s counterterrorism capabilities and reinforce military interoperability between the two countries. The approval was conveyed through a formal notification by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency to Congress.   

According to various media reports and the agency’s congressional transmittal, the package is intended to modernize and sustain Pakistan’s existing F-16 fleet, including its Block 52 and Mid-Life Upgrade variants, keeping them operationally effective until at least 2040.    

The official notification, transmitted under the Arms Export Control Act, lists the total estimated cost as $686 million, with major defense equipment valued at $37 million and the remainder covering other systems, services, and support. US officials have maintained that the sale does not introduce new combat systems and will not shift the military balance in South Asia.   

The transmittal details the key elements of the package, including 92 Link 16 secure data and communication systems and six Mk 82 inert general-purpose bomb bodies for weapons integration testing. It also includes aircraft hardware and software updates, avionics upgrades, Identification Friend or Foe systems, cryptographic and secure communication equipment, navigation tools, joint mission planning systems, training simulators, spare parts, and extensive engineering and logistics support. These enhancements are expected to improve Pakistan’s ability to conduct precise targeting, share real-time data, and coordinate counterterrorism operations with partner forces.   

Lockheed Martin, the original manufacturer of the F-16, is identified as the principal contractor for the sale. The United States has also stated that no additional American personnel will need to be deployed to Pakistan, as implementation will be handled through existing channels, training systems, and contractor support.   

In the congressional notification, the agency states that the proposed sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.” It adds that the upgrades will help Pakistan maintain the capability to meet current and future threats by refurbishing its fleet and ensuring long-term operational readiness.   

The approval comes at a time when regional security dynamics remain fluid, particularly along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and in the broader context of evolving US policy debates on counterterrorism. For Islamabad, the package represents a notable reaffirmation of defense ties with Washington after several years marked by fluctuating cooperation.   

Officials in Pakistan are expected to view the upgrade as a major boost to the country’s air defense and counterterrorism capabilities, especially since the F-16 remains the backbone of Pakistan’s tactical air fleet.