Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

Relations between India and Pakistan continue to remain tense with Pakistan now looking to increase its aircraft fleet by trying to purchase more fighter jets from the US, Russia and France.The sale of eight F16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the US is now almost a done deal with the US Senate refusing to block the deal, which is now in its final stages. India made public its discomfort with the US decision but that did not deter the US from going ahead with the deal.Pakistan’s insecurity emanates from a desire to maintain parity with the Indian Air Force, which is planning to replace its existing fleet by 2020. Pakistan is already planning to buy 10 more F16 fighter jets from the US once the sale of the initial eight F16 is completed. The eight F16s that Pakistan is buying from the US include two single-seat F-16Cs and six twin-seat F-16Ds, along with associated equipment. The deal is expected to cost Pakistan $699 million.According to a report on Jane’s Defence Weekly, Pakistan is looking not just to the US but also to France and Russia to buy new fighter jets. The report quotes Pakistani officials as saying that “Pakistan Air Force needed to retire 190 planes by 2020, forcing the country to look for various options”.India has already gone ahead and decided to directly purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The liability issues and the pricing of the Rafale have time and again delayed the final contract but with India closer to upgrading its fleet, jitters in the Pakistan establishment were expected.

8 US F16s on way

• The sale of eight F16 fighter jets to Pakistan by the US is now almost a done deal with the US Senate refusing to block the deal, which is now in its final stages
• The eight F16s include two single-seat F-16Cs and six twin-seat F-16Ds, along with associated equipment
• The deal is expected to cost Pakistan $699 million
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