Defense Security Cooperation Agency, On 28 June 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $3 billion.
The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE)
–36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft with either the F100-PW-229 or F110-GE-129 Increased Performance Engines (IPEs) and APG-68(V)9 radars;
–7 spare F100-PW-229 IPE or F110-GE-129 IPE engines;
–7 spare APG-68(V)9 radar sets;
–36 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems;
–36 AN/ARC-238 SINCGARS radios with HAVE QUICK I/II;
–36 Conformal Fuel Tanks (pairs);
–36 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminals;
–36 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems;
–36 APX-113 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Systems;
–36 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites without
Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) or AN/ALQ-184 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM or AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Counter Measures pod without DRFM or AN/ALQ-187 Advanced Self-Protection Integrated Suites without DRFM; or AN/ALQ-178 Self-Protection Electronic Warfare Suites without DRFM and
–1 Unit Level Trainer;
Associated support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, capability to employ a wide variety of munitions, spares and repair parts, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, CONUS-personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related requirements to ensure full program supportability will also be provided. The estimated cost is $3 billion.
Given its geo-strategic location and partnership in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Pakistan is a vital ally of the United States, as reflected in the June 2004 designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ally. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping an ally meet its legitimate defense requirements. The aircraft also will be used for close air support in ongoing operations contributing to the GWOT.
Consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy and arms control initiatives, this potential sale will allow the Pakistani Air Force to modernize its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Pakistan to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations.
Release of this system would not significantly reduce India's quantitative or qualitative military advantage. Release of the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft to Pakistan will neither affect the regional balance of power nor introduce a new technology as this level of capability or higher already exists in other countries in the region.
The principal contractors will be:
–BAE Advanced Systems Greenlawn, New York
–Boeing Corporation Seattle, Washington
–Boeing Integrated Defense Systems St Louis, Missouri (three locations) Long Beach, California San Diego, California
–Raytheon Company Lexington, Massachusetts (two locations) Goleta, California
–Raytheon Missile Systems Tucson, Arizona
–Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Fort Worth, Texas
–Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control Dallas, Texas
–Northrop-Grumman Electro-Optical Systems Garland, Texas
–Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems Baltimore, Maryland
–Pratt & Whitney United Technology Company East Hartford, Connecticut
–General Electric Aircraft Engines Cincinnati, Ohio
There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Pakistan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical review/support and program management of the aircraft.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
