F-16s for Counterterror Ops Only, Says US Deal - Still Pakistan Using Them Against India
The United States had allowed the sale of F-16 fighter jets on the strict condition that they would be used only for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
F-16 jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, account for 75 jets of Pakistan's total jets of around 410. (File photo)
Five fighter jets, including US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets, used by Pakistan were shot down late Thursday night as Islamabad escalated the tension with Delhi by targeting cities in India in response to Operation Sindoor carried out by Indian armed forces to avenge the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, the May 7 India military strike under Operation Sindoor targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with no offensive against either the military establishment or civilians. Soon after mourning the terrorists killed in India’s operation, Pakistan began attacking the Indian military on Thursday morning. In the last 24 hours, Pakistan has made two failed attempts to target Indian cities.
During its failed operation Thursday evening, Pakistan Air Force used China-made JF-17S fighter jets, F-16 and AWACS surveillance aircraft. One unidentified jet was also used by the PAF, which was brought down by India's air defence.
Notably, Pakistan has reportedly been using US-made F-16 fighter jets in an offensive against India, which, as per the country’s agreement with the United States, is a complete NO NO. But, Islamabad has deployed the jets, made by Lockheed Martin, in violation of its agreement with the US.
Since first receiving the jets in the late 1980s, the fleet has undergone multiple upgrades over the years to suit the requirements of the Pakistan armed forces. These jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, account for 75 jets of Pakistan's total jets of around 410+.
The United States had allowed the sale of F-16 fighter jets on the strict condition that they would be used only for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. These limitations, set as part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreements, are designed to prevent misuse and unauthorized deployment of the aircraft.
As per reports, the Pentagon’s Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated that the F-16 jets were intended to "strengthen Pakistan's capacity for counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations."
Documents available publicly show that the US imposed nearly a dozen restrictions on Pakistan's use of the F-16s.
In a Congressional hearing in 2006, John Miller, the then Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, told lawmakers that the United States had "carefully evaluated" the risks of US technology and equipment potentially being diverted. The restrictions included "over a dozen new and unprecedented elements" in the security plan for Pakistan.
Miller further explained that the security provisions required semi-annual inventories of all F-16 aircraft, equipment, munitions, and related technical data, with more frequent checks for other systems, according to Outlook Business.
As per reports, Pakistan requires prior approval from the US government for any F-16 flights outside of Pakistan or involvement in joint operations with third countries.
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