WASHINGTON: The United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded a $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for long-term engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems, with Pakistan included among the countries covered under the deal.
The contract has been issued under a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity arrangement for the F-16 System Program Office Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Air Force/Navy support.
According to the U.S. Department of War, the agreement covers engineering and technical support for F-16 radar systems (APG-66/68).
The contract includes Foreign Military Sales support for multiple countries, including Pakistan, Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Thailand and Türkiye.
Pakistan operates F-16 fighter jets acquired from the United States under the Peace Gate program in the 1980s. The fleet is estimated at around 50 aircraft.
Each aircraft is valued at approximately $40 million, according to estimates.
Pakistan has faced technical upgrade and sustainment challenges in maintaining the fleet over the years.
In December, the United States had also approved a separate $686 million package for F-16 support and equipment for Pakistan, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
That package was described as aimed at strengthening interoperability in counterterrorism operations and future joint missions.
Pakistan has also requested additional systems, including Link-16 communications networks and aircraft support equipment, under earlier proposals.
U.S. officials have said such sales support foreign policy and national security objectives by maintaining interoperability with partner forces in counterterrorism efforts.
