Following high-stakes U.S.-Pakistan talks this week, Washington has decided to provide technical support of the Pakistani F-16 program at an cost of $125 million.
The U.S. decision marks resumption of foreign military sales to Pakistan and is likely to be seen as a big success of the Pakistani leaders’ visit to Washington during which PM Imran Khan held talks with President Trump on July 22 while Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa met with his American counterparts.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency reported Friday that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for Technical Security Team (TST) in continued support of the F-16 program for an estimated cost of $125 million.
The DSCA has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 26, 2019, the agency said.
“The Government of Pakistan requested a continuation of technical support services; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support to assist in the oversight of operations in support of the Pakistan Peace Drive advanced F-16 program. The total estimated program cost is $125 million.”
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by protecting U.S. technology through the continued presence of U.S. personnel that provide 24/7 end-use monitoring.”
The United States say the “proposed sale of this support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
The principal contractor is Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services LLC, Fairborn, Ohio.
According to the DSCA, implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 60 contractor representatives to Pakistan to assist in the oversight of operations as part of the Peace Drive F-16 program.
“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
