Eco or Bi-Diplomacy?

Hi,

What’s about this?

Are the USA foes or allies of … India or Pakistan?

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F-16 fighter sale to Pakistan could involve 80 aircraft
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
10/13/2005, page 01

Marc Selinger

The Bush administration has quietly told Congress that it wants to sell 80 new and used F-16 Fighting Falcons to Pakistan, a number considerably higher than expected, The DAILY has learned.

Under the proposed deal, Pakistan would receive 55 new Lockheed Martin-built jets and 25 used ones, a congressional aide said Oct. 12. The used aircraft would come from European members of the NATO alliance.

In addition, 32 F-16s already owned by Pakistan would receive mid-life updates, the aide told The DAILY. The deal also would allow Pakistan to receive two F-16s that it bought years ago but never received due to U.S. concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Islamabad’s cooperation in the war on terrorism has fueled U.S. interest in resuming F-16 exports to Pakistan.

When the potential deal surfaced about a year ago, it looked like Pakistan might be in line to buy 18 to 24 F-16s. But that number surged to 80 as the country’s needs became clearer, the congressional aide said. India, Pakistan’s longtime rival, has expressed interest in buying up to 126 fighters and is looking at the F-16, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and several non-U.S. planes.

Congress still is in the early stages of considering the administration’s Pakistan proposal, and lawmakers’ aides are reviewing the administration’s written answers to dozens of their questions. Issues that Hill aides have raised include whether the F-16s would be capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Another issue is whether Pakistan should be allowed to equip its F-16s with sophisticated conventional weapons, including Raytheon’s Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile.

The F-16 sale could come up when lawmakers meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice behind closed doors in early November to discuss U.S. policy toward South Asia.

At the moment, it appears likely that the deal ultimately will win Hill approval, the congressional aide said. But it is possible that opponents will put up a fight by offering a resolution of disapproval once the matter is formally considered on the Hill.

There has been no indication, at least so far, that grappling with the recent deadly earthquake will spur Islamabad to rethink its F-16 purchase plans.

– Marc Selinger (marc_selinger@AviationNow.com)