Says F-16 fleet allows Pakistan to support counter terrorism operations | Congress notified about sale of F-16 parts to Pakistan
\nWASHINGTON
\nUnited States says it will continue to work closely with Pakistan to assess the damage caused by recent devastating floods and provide it assistance in this time of need.
\nDuring a press briefing in Washington, the US State Department spokesperson, Ned Price said the United States is deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the historic floods and stand with the people of Pakistan at this difficult time.
\nHe said so far, more than half of the 630 metric tons of relief supplies from USAID\u2019s Dubai warehouse has been delivered to Pakistan through nine flights in response to the massive floods.
\nTo a question about US proposed 450-million dollar sale for Pakistan to refurbish its F-16 jets fleet, he said this will sustain the country capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats.
\nHe said the State Department recently notify Congress of the proposed foreign military sale as Pakistan is an important partner and as part of our policy, we provide lifecycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms.
\n\u201cPakistan is an important partner in a number of regards, an important counterterrorism partner. And as part of our longstanding policy, we provide life cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for U.S.-origin platforms,\u201d the spokesperson remarked.
\n\u201cPakistan\u2019s F-16 program, it\u2019s an important part of the broader U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, and this proposed sale will sustain Pakistan\u2019s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining the F-16 fleet.\u201d
\nHe further said that this is a fleet that allows Pakistan to support counterterrorism operations. \u201cMore than half of the 630 metric tons of relief supplies from USAID\u2019s Dubai warehouse has been delivered to Pakistan through nine flights in response to the massive floods,\u201d he concluded.
\nMeanwhile, Indian newspaper The Hindu has reported that the Biden administration has ignored the \u201cstrong objections\u201d raised by India over the proposed foreign military sale of $450 million to Pakistan to sustain the Pakistan Air Force\u2019s F-16 programme and notified Congress in this regard.
\nLast week, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification of this possible sale, angering India who raised the matter during meetings with US official Donald Lu in New Delhi.
\nThe publication stated that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs \u201cprotested\u201d against the sale of spares of the jet to Pakistan despite the DSCA\u2019s clarification that \u201cthe proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions\u201d and it \u201cwill not alter the basic military balance in the region\u201d.
\nWhile responding to a question in this regard, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said, \u201cwell, we did recently notify Congress of a proposed foreign military sale valued at $450 million for maintenance and sustainment services for the Pakistani Air Force\u2019s F-16 programme.\u201d
\nThe US official stressed that Pakistan is an important partner in a number of regards and an important counterterrorism partner. \u201cAnd as part of our longstanding policy, we provide life cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Says F-16 fleet allows Pakistan to support counter terrorism operations | Congress notified about sale of F-16 parts to Pakistan WASHINGTON United States says it will continue to work closely with Pakistan to assess the damage caused by recent devastating floods and provide it assistance in this time of need. During a press briefing in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-283441","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n