APP,
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Shahzad Chaudhry has said that Pakistan is engaged in talks with US to get 75 F-16 aircrafts.
Addressing a press briefing at Air headquarters Chaklala on Thursday, he said, Pakistan is holding talks with US on cooperation in defence sector and is hopeful to acquire 75 F-16 jets from US”.
Air Vice Marshal Shahzad noted that US would give two F-16s to Pakistan free of charge and these jets would be acquired in December.
Eight C-130 planes will also be acquired from US soon, he maintained.
Air Vice Marshal Shahzad said that JF-17 thunder, which was manufactured with cooperation of China, would be included in Pak Air Force fleet by 2007.
About Air Force exercises, he observed that Hi-Mark 05 exercises would be started from 4th of September and would continue throughout the month.
These will be practical exercises, in which all jets of Air Force will participate and we will fully try to save them (aircrafts) from damage, he maintained.
He said President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would also inspect these exercises.
Air Vice Marshal Shahzad noted that Pakistan Air Force has been integrated with air defence, radar, and other sophisticated systems.
Hi-Mark 05 will enhance the capability of Pakistan Air Force, he said.
He went on to say that Pakistan wants peace and stability in the region but we want to make ourselves fortify in every aspect.
To a question, Air Vice Marshal Shahzad said that Pakistan Air Force would also initiate joint exercises with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey.
He said that no airbase of Pakistan Air Force was in US control.
US forces have quit Jacobabad airbase, he added.
