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U.S. to upgrade Pakistan's F-16s

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed a letter of acceptance for its F-16 deal with the United States. The signing took place in Rawalpindi.

A Pakistan Air Force statement said the U.S. would supply 18 F-16 aircraft and upgraded second-hand F-16s.

The U.S. will also upgrade Pakistan's existing fleet of 34 F-16s. As told by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Hillen to Congress in July, the conditions proposed included U.S. approval for F-16 flights outside Pakistan air space, American presence at the bases where the F-16s would be stationed to monitor compliance with a "security plan" and restricting the aircraft to pre-approved PAF personnel.

Mr. Hillen said this would give the U.S. access and influence that would enable it to be involved in a "leadership" position in determining how the F-16s would be used.

The aircraft were reportedly to be stripped of several digital/electrical capabilities rendering them incapable of carrying nuclear weapons.

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