Biden admin announces support for Pak's F-16 fleet sustainment programme

Reversing a Trump era decision, the Biden administration on Wednesday approved a $450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme for Pakistan, a move that coincided with the Indo-US security dialogue in Delhi.

It is the first major US security assistance to Pakistan since 2018. While India did not immediately react, it is monitoring the development, said people aware of the matter.

"The United States government has notified Congress of a proposed foreign military sales case to sustain the Pakistan Air Force's F-16 programme. Pakistan is an important counterterrorism partner, and as part of longstanding policy, the US provides life cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms," said a State Department spokesperson.


India had countered this argument in the past saying that such assistance was diverted by Pakistan military to fight India instead of countering terrorism.

The development comes after the Pakistan Army chief reached out to the US and UK in recent months to revive the defence partnership that had taken a backseat under the previous Imran Khan government.

"Pakistan's F-16 programme is an important part of the broader US-Pakistan bilateral relationship. The proposed sale will sustain Pakistan's capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet..." the spokesperson said.