Pakistan has put off signing the letter of acceptance (LOA) for purchase of 36 F-16 fighters from the US after complaints from thes air force that the planes were “bereft” of vital electronic warfare systems.
First Mush’s allegations against Bush and now this. Signs of relationship between US & Pak cooling off ? 
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
The CO Air Staff Tanvir has rubbished these reports. Indian sources on Pakistani defence matters are frankly unreliable. Esp a news magazine like Rediff, which has no credible background in defence reporting.
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
I would assume Indian sources would be more reliable on Pak defence matters than Pak media, due to the obvious need to stay informed 
This article also appeard on Times of India, which is supposedly more credible than Rediff.
I am sure it would show up in Pak media in a couple of days.
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
No bar on use of new F-16s, says air chief
By Mayed Ali
ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed has said there is no bar on the operational employment of the new F-16s Pakistan intends to acquire from the US under the proposed deal.
In an exclusive interview with The News panel, the Air Chief Marshal made it clear that the US authorities had not imposed any restriction on the operational capability of the Fighting Falcons Pakistan would purchase from the US. **“We will be fully empowered to use our platforms wherever we want and however we want.” **
The News panel comprised Salim Bokhari, Mayed Ali and Naeem Tahir. He said the PAF would use the F-16s for all sorts of defensive and offensive sorties, carrying all conventional weaponry in its inventory. The air chief set aside the apprehensions attached to the possible deal with the US in this regard.
**As for arrival of the US personnel, he explained that this was not something surprising or a new phenomenon. The US personnel had also come along with the F-104 Starfighters in 1960s and F-16s in 1983. The same was true for other nations like France and China, who had sent their skilled personnel with the consignments of Mirage III and F-6 (Mig-19) and F-7 P and PGs (Mig-21s) for providing technical assistance to the PAF during the early days of induction. **
He said the US wouldn’t want the technology transfer to any other country, especially those working in cooperation with Pakistan in the field of defence. Tanvir was all praise for the F-16s, Block 52 versions and the upgraded midlife platforms. He looked forward to smooth completion of the deal.
He believed the induction of latest Fighting Falcons would give an instant lift to the PAF capabilities in defending its territorial integrity. He firmly believed the induction of these planes would balance the skies in the subcontinent. Highlighting the features of the new F-16s, he explained that the relatively bigger aircraft (Block 52) has a more powerful engine with more thrust, more fuel carrying capacity along with air-to-air refuelling capacity, more hard points with more loading capacity, long-range radar, very effective avionics, laser, and ECM pods. The aircraft would also have recce cameras, night-vision capability, smart weaponry, including BVR missiles (AMRAAM), sidewinders, and other smart ammunition.The air chief was of the opinion that the Fighting Falcons would help the PAF grow into future, giving the air force the liberty to take on the threats in the air, over land and sea, day or night in all weather conditions.
Since the aircraft would not need extended logistic arrangements as these were already in operation in the country, it would give the PAF extra financial liberty for upgrading other equipment on the ground.
The air chief was also enthusiastic about the induction of SAAB Erieye Airborne Early Warning System (AWACS) platforms, which would become a force-multiplier. He believed the Erieye was as good as the Phalcon radar platforms with better agility, courtesy the SAAB 2000 aircraft.
In addition to this, the PAF is also awaiting the delivery of air-to-air refuelling system.** The air chief hinted at acquisition of platforms from Ukraine.** He also informed that the PAF was working on a pilot project for upgrading some existing aircraft for the purpose of aerial refuelling.
Once these aircraft got the capability, these would be integrated with the fleet of fuel-tankers. The success of this programme would help the PAF move forward, he said. The air chief was of the view that since air combat and superiority is becoming the name of the game in the modern-day warfare, the PAF has to be equipped and upgraded accordingly. In a world where air-land strategy is taking over from the conventional mode of war, the PAF should have the required technology and workforce to meet future challenges.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=3191
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
Indian newpapers are only qualified to report Ashwaria Rais new Hair due and nothng else...
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
A lot of this would be to appease the Indian public. There was plenty of hoo-haw abt Pak getting F-16’s, and I am assuming AM Tanveer knows what he’s paying for. The Strategic Command arent stupid, they would not pay $5bn for “toys”.
I personally would rather Pak dicthed the F16 option, the US being as unreliable as it is, but inducting a wholly new platform takes years and requires a huge infrastructure project to boot.
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
Behave, boys :nono:
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
------------------cvabn---------------
What else can be said about you and your choices of “credible resources”
Only way to satisfy your whim is to show you the real stuff when ever, however :smack:
Ps: Pak media is not required to step into the ‘Gossip Parade’ nore it is missed
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
--------cvabn----------
no one ain’t done noth’in yet Addy, its all ^ ligit 'In your face (India) ’ wageira wageira,
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
well probably Pakistan should not buy these expensive toys once US is not a reliable supplier of spare parts. PAF is obsessed with F-16's like WAPDA is obsessed with Kala Bagh Dam
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
^^ Its not just Pakistan who likes F-16's, in a whole F-16's are used and by preffered by many countries around the world as their primary fighter jets (like Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey) due to their ruggedness, and being good jets in general
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
Differences over F-16 deal resolved
By Anwar Iqbal
WASHINGTON, Oct 1: Pakistan and the US have finalised the F-16 deal after resolving their differences over airspace and technology swapping restrictions Washington had placed earlier, diplomatic sources told Dawn.
The letter of offer and acceptance was signed in Islamabad on Saturday. Sept 30 was the last date for final acceptance of the US offer of March 25, 2005, when the Bush administration announced its decision to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.
“Under the deal, even a day’s delay could have caused an increase of more than $140 million in the price,” said a diplomatic source.
The source said that there were also some differences on the money Pakistan is required to pay in advance. “All the differences, on payment installations, on technical restrictions, have been resolved to satisfactory level,” he said.
Asked to define the level of satisfaction, the source said: “Both sides had to accommodate each other before they reached an understanding.”
The deal is part of a $5 billion arms package for Pakistan which includes F-16 fighter jets and an assortment of air and ground weaponry.
The Bush administration has received congressional approval for selling 18 new F-16 jets to Pakistan. The deal also allows Pakistan to buy an additional 18 new or old F-16s.
In July, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that the F-16s would come with 200 Sidewinder and 500 AIM-120C5 air-to-air missiles plus 800 general purpose 2,000 and 500-pound bombs.
http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/02/top4.htm
I remember how indians used to say.. “the congress will never approve it”
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
^^ Pakistan grows stronger each day. Its economy, finance, leadership and now its military. All indians can do is watch and complain
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
only to repent later once the parts are not coming and technicians are forced to cannibalize.
its time that we get mature, there is no denying that as a multi role fighter they are suitable for our airforce, however continous availibility of spare parts and technology upgrade are absolutely essential for keeping the aircraft and history has shown that USA is a highly un reliable supplier.
Same amount of investment in JF-17 may not bring it at par with F-16 perhaps but at least will give us an aircarft which will serve many if not all purposes. we will be foolish to say that we will get both as we are not economically that strong. The rest of teh money should be going to development projects. even economic superpowers have to make compromises.
"Learn lessons from history otherwise history will teach you lessons again and again"
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
^^ we are acquiring large numbers of JF-17 which will form the back bone of our air force
we are also acquiring the J-10 Chinese fighter which is comparable to the latest versions of the F-16
and we are getting F-16. That is a plane that pakistan is accustomed to, has the facilties already in place to take these aircrafts in and incorporate them into our air force without much trouble.
undoubtly, our air force, land and naval forces will one day become totally indigenous, but we still need western military for the time being....
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
where is the money coming from?
at the cost of development i suggest.
please have mercy on this nation, these mega defence deals are nothing except mere kick backs
the government refusing to reduce the price of petrol despite the fall in oil prices and on a shopping spree of most expensive toys in the world
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
the government refusing to reduce the price of petrol despite the fall in oil prices and on a shopping spree of most expensive toys in the world
What makes you think that the government is paying for the F-16's ?
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
we r getting them as a part of us military aid to pakistan
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
Yes. And, it is called "military aid" for a reason. Some people just don't understand the concept.
Re: Pak puts off F-16 deal
Exactly, it is a military aid.
US military aid is not a grant, mind you, it is a loan with interest and every thing blah blah blah. But you do not get dollars but you have to choose some equipment on the table for their set price and you service that debt from your GDP for years to come. That is just like that you go to a bank and get a brand new car and pay the installments, but here the bank forces you to get the car of its choice, on its own price.
Recently Pakistan Army got new HARRIS Radio sets which it never wanted to take but the aid specified that it will have to buy that and only that Radio set, Now we have different Radio families, ASELSAN in VHF & HARRIS in HF alongwith some other in UHF range whose name i am forgetting and you have to establish different maintenance lines & training programmes and so on which multiply the cost of induction manifolds vis-a-vis induction of equipment from one family.
Who stands to suffer, we or some one else