Pakistan Military Watch

Pakistan is negotiating with the United States to buy 14 additionalF-16 fighter planes, Pakistan defence officials said on Sunday,following talks aimed at reversing tempestuous ties between the allies.

The United States and Pakistan have agreed to fast-track pendingPakistani requests for military equipment as the two step up securitycooperation, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Wednesday during ahigh-profile visit to Washington.

A senior Pakistani defence official told Reuters that Pakistan was asking for 14 new F-16 planes.


“Talks are underway and we're hoping to get them at a low price,” the official, who requested not to be identified, said.

Pakistan is an important US ally in the battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The United States has provided F-16 fighter jets to Islamabad andPakistan's navy chief was in Washington this month to discuss thehandover in August of a refurbished US frigate.

Washington said this month it would deliver 1,000 laser-guided bombkits to Pakistan within weeks and is considering more weapons sales tohelp the Pakistani air force crack down on insurgents in theAfghanistan border region.

In early 2010, the United States approved the delivery of 12 LockheedMartin Corp's F-16C and 6 F-16D planes, scheduled to begin from June2010.

This delivery to Pakistan will bring its inventory of the planes to 54.If a new deal is approved, Pakistan's arsenal of F-16s, includingrefurbished fighters, will amount to 79, defence officials said.Pakistan has been operating F-16s since 1982.

Another official said Pakistan's interest in new F-16s was a bid to match India's firepower.

“Look at the rival (India). How many fighter jets they are purchasingand if you're getting them at a low price then why not?” he said.

India plans to buy 126 air and ground attack fighters, which willelevate its air force to super-power status, with deployments plannednear the borders with Pakistan and China, officials say.

One bone of contention between Washington and Islamabad has been adelay in about $2 billion in military aid owed by the United States toPakistan under a programme called the Coalition Support Fund.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said a “substantial”amount of the money would be paid by the end of April, with Washingtonpromising the remainder by the end of June.

Washington, DC: The Pentagon is making a strong pitchfor US companies for the $10 billion deal for 126 fighter aircraft forthe Indian Air Force and future sales of the C-17 transport aircraft.
The US defence department, also known as Pentagon because of theshape of its building, does not view defence equipment sales as merecommercial transactions and looks at them as a growth area for theIndia-US partnership, a senior defence official said Thursday.

"Iam and will continue to be a strong advocate of US solutions forIndia's defence needs," Michele Flournoy, under-secretary of defencefor policy, told members of the Asia Society. "US companies are eagerto work with India as the Indian military continues to modernise."
Notingtwo American companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are among sixcompetitors for India's biggest fighter-jet purchase in 15 years, shesaid, "We are also looking at future sales of the C-17 aircraft asanother example of near term defence sales."
"We understand thatIndia is making a strategic as well as an economic choice when it makesdefence acquisitions," she said. "Obviously, the commercial benefits ofdefence sales to the US economy can't be denied."
"But from a[defence department] perspective, these sales are even more importantin building a strategic partnership that will allow both our countriesto cooperate more effectively to protect our mutual security interestsin the future," Flournoy said.
"Whether the scenario involveshumanitarian assistance, counterterrorism cooperation or maritimesecurity activities," she continued, "having common equipment willallow more seamless cooperation."
India is seeking to build itsown indigenous defence industry, and is looking for the besttechnologies to use in its defence sector, Flournoy said.
TheUnited States is committed to providing India with top-of-the-linetechnology, and has backed up its commitment by approving theoverwhelming majority of licenses requested last year, she said.
Flournoynoted defence secretary Robert M Gates has made export control reform akey priority, citing the streamlining and modernising of the US exportcontrol system as a national security priority that affects thenation's ability to build and sustain key partnerships.
India andthe United States will explore ways to counter the spread of weapons ofmass destruction through maritime cooperation, dialogue, andidentifying new technologies to combat this threat, Flournoy said.
"Wewill look at ways in which, together, we can better secure the globalcommons by expanding our already robust cooperation in air, space,cyberspace and maritime initiatives."

Washington, DC: The US today offered India top ofthe shelf and top of the line defence weapon systems and said threeagreements were being negotiated which would allow the country to sharekey American technologies.

"Pentagon is working with India to put three foundational agreements inplace with New Delhi that would allow American frontline technologiesto be shared with the country," a top Pentagon official MicheleFlournoy said.

"The cooperation with India is most developed in the maritime domain.But we are interested in talking about other areas as well. When youlook at space, India has a lot to bring to the table, in terms of itsown space technology and industry," she said.


Flournoy said the US is committed to providing India with top of the shelf or top of the line technology.

The Pentagon official said defence secretary Robert Gates had madeexport control reforms a key priority. "We see streamlining andmodernising of export control system as a national security priorityand one that directly affects our ability to build and sustain thesekey partnerships".

Flournoy, under secretary of defence for policy said US would continueto work with India on countering the spread of WMD, maritimecooperation and identifying new technologies to combat the threat.

She strongly made a pitch that India should opt for American fighterjets as it would pave the way for "more effective protection of mutualsecurity interest in the future".

Advocating "US solutions for India's defence needs", the top Pentagonofficial said an overwhelming majority of arms licenses requested lastyear had been approved.

She said, India should opt for American fighter jets as it would pavethe way for "more effective protection of mutual security interest inthe future".

The American pitch for India opting for US system comes as New Delhi isin final stages of deciding on the mega $10 billion deal to purchase126 fighter aircrafts.

American aviation majors Boeing with its F-18 super hornet and LockheedMartin with its F-16 fighting Falcons are among the major bidders.

The Pentagon official who was speaking at a seminar 'Investing in thefuture of US-India defence relations', at the Washington Chapter ofAsia Society said US arms sale to India were showing an upward graphand identified recent purchase by New Delhi of C-130J HerculesTransport Aircraft, just rolled out P-81 Maritime ReconnaissanceAircraft and the proposed sale of heavy-lift C-17 Aircraft.

"I am and will continue to be a very strong advocate of US solutionsfor India's defence needs. US companies are eager to work with India asthe Indian military continues to modernise," she said.

"Today, two American companies are among the leading competitors forthe $10 billion sale of 126 advanced fighter aircraft to the Indian AirForce, currently the world's biggest defence tender. And we are alsolooking at future defence sales of the C-17, as another example ofnear-term defence cooperation," Flournoy said.

"I want to underscore though that we in the department of defence do not view defence sales as mere commercial transactions.

We understand that India is making a strategic as well as an economic choice when it makes defence acquisitions," she said.

"Obviously the commercial benefits of defence sales to the US economycan't be denied. But from a department of defence perspective, thesesales are even more important in building a strategic partnership thatwill allow both countries to cooperate more effectively, to protecttheir mutual security interests in the future," Flournoy said in herspeech.

"Whether the scenarios involve humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism cooperation, maritime security activities, having commonequipment will allow more seamless cooperation.

India is of course also seeking to build its own indigenous defenceindustry and is looking for the best technologies to use in the defencesector," she noted.

In 2008 Pakistan Navy under chief of navel staff Admiral MuhammadAfzal Tahir made efforts for including German 214 Class submarines inits fleet and owing to Navy’s persistent efforts, the government hadapproved plans for acquisition of these submarines to be built atKarachi Shipyard under transfer of technology programme.

The details were later worked out between the two countries when a Pakistan Navy delegation visited Germany in April.
However recently quoting Pakistani government sources, the FinancialTimes Deutschland says President Asif Zardari may overrule hismilitary’s preference for the German subs to take up a “better offer”from France.
But what better submarines France can offer to Pakistan? That is aquestion to ponder because France has no better submarines to offerPakistan at the moment whereas French are indeed not ready to offer usnuclear submarine.



What France has in store? :
There are three options 1. Scorpion, 2. Marlin and 3. Barracudasubmarines. But again the Scorpions are not superior to U 214, neitherthese will be having any benefit for Pakistan because French companyDCN is already going to provide Scorpion to Indian Navy ahead ofPakistan.
U-214 is way better than French design given to India. Marlin isjust on drawing board and will take forever to go to prototype stageand then test and evaluation and finally induction into Pakistan Navymeanwhile India will have all its Scorpion in sea. DCN (Direction desConstructions Navales ), France will not be able to fulfill Pakistaniorder ahead of Indians. The success of Marlin, or weather or not itwill be better than U-214 German sub cannot be predicted. Currently,U-214 for the best non-nuclear submarine in the world, and our friendsin Turkey will soon produce it at home with the license of production.
Now the only option for Pakistan will be to ask for Barracudasubmarine but it is unlikely that France will sell us nuclearsubmarine. Barracuda is a nuclear powered submarine and France does notcurrently allow the sale of nuclear-propelled submarines.
Despite having French Agosta-90B submarines, the Pakistani Navyopted for purchasing German Torpedoes for fitting to Agosta-90B due tothe superior German technology.
Pakistan Navy needs German submarines because the German U-214 subs are far better than the French Scorpion.
If the current government goes for inferior quality Frenchsubmarines then it will indeed give weight to suspicion of manyPakistanis who see bribes as main factor behind any irrationaldecisions viz viz defence deals.
Already the Pakistani senators have demanded in an incamera briefing from Pakistani Naval chief in the Senate.
Whereas some eyebrows have also been raised over the fact thatforeign secretary Salman Bashir in the current government of Zardari isthe brother of Naval Chief, Noman Bashir and there are also somereports that PIA chairman is going to be named Pakistani envoy toFrance. Some political pundits see such an appointment an attempt tomuster a deal for French submarines.
On the other hand submarine acquisition project (SMAP) a groupcomposed of Naval officers who have recommended U-214 submarines overother options after extensive study has been disbanded and the officershave been posted out at different stations.
Though earlier the Germans have delayed the deal due to politicalsituation of Pakistan but can kickoff cutting of hull for firstsubmarine immediately after signing the deal.
In such a situation going for something which does not fulfill therequirement of Pakistan Navy would be tantamount to putting thenational defence at risk.
There is no reason not to go for German submarines specially whenBerlin even granted federal export credit guarantees worth nearly $1.4billion for the purchase of the same.

ISLAMABAD: A commando contingent of the Pak Army’s special forceThursday left for China from the PAF Base in Chaklala to participate inthe third joint military and training exercises between the twocountries.

The exercises, starting today, have been designed to benefit from theprofessional skills based on the mutual experiences of the two nationsfor anti-terrorism efforts.

According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations(ISPR), the weeklong exercise will be conducted from July 1 to 7 atQixtonxia, Yeuhuan, China.



Troops of the Special Services Group of both countries will participate in the drills.

It is aimed at practising counter terrorism mechanics and drills inmountains, while developing interpersonal rapport between participantsof both sides.

Senior military leadership from both the countries will also attend the exercises.

NEW DELHI (PTI): After receivingorders for 124 more Arjun main battle tanks, the DRDO has decided tosupply an advanced version of the weapon system to meet therequirements of the Army.

“We will have the modifications (onArjuns) that the Army is looking for,” Defence Research and DevelopmentOrganisation chief V K Saraswat said here Thursday.

He was askedif the DRDO had any plans of delivering a more advanced version ofArjun to the Army as part of the next order. The DRDO chief was talkingto reporters on the sidelines of a function to mark the golden jubileeof the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS).


Saraswatsaid that the DRDO had already started working on the mark II versionof the tank, which will incorporate a number of modifications that havebeen sought by the Army.

“We have to make certain modificationsin the tank, which we call the Arjun mark II version. Developmentprocess on mark II is already in progress and our scientists and theArmy are working together,” Saraswat said.

The DRDO chief saidthe decision by the Army to place orders for 124 more Arjuns willensure that the assembly line of the tanks is “engaged”.

Armyhas till date placed orders for 248 Arjun tanks of which 124 havealready been delivered to it. The order for additional 124 tanks wasplaced after the comparative trials in March and April 2010.

Thecomparative trials between the Arjun and the Russian T-90 were carriedout to decide the future of the tank in the Army, during which theindigenous tanks reportedly performed satisfactorily.

The DRDOwants the Army to place orders for at least 500 Arjuns to recover itsinvestments before starting work on the futuristic main battle tank forthe service.

The Chengdu J-10 (Jian-10, or F-10 in its export name) is asingle-engine, all-weather, high-performance multirole fighter aircraftcapable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The aircraft wasdesigned by Chengdu-based 611 Aircraft Design Institute andmanufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC). Theaircraft is available in single-sear fighter (A variant) and tandemtwo-seat fighter-trainer (B variant) versions. The aircraft first flewin 1998 and entered the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) service in 2003. About50~70 examples are expected to have been delivered by 2006. Theseplanes are powered by a Russian-made AL-31FN turbofan engine, while onlater production variants this will be replaced by Chinese indigenousWS-10A “TaiHang� turbofan. The total number of productionmay be as many as 300.

The J-10 development programme, also known as “Project8610�, officially began in 1986 to counter the fourth-generationfighters such as MiG-29 and Su-27 then being introduced by the SovietUnion. The aircraft was initially designed as an air-superiorityfighter aircraft but changing requirements later shift the developmenttowards a multirole fighter. It was widely speculated that theJ-10’s initial design was based on the cancelled IsraeliAerospace Industry (IAI) Lavi lightweight fighter. Despite the denialby both Chinese and Israelis, the high resemblance of the two aircraftappears to support this claim. Russia provided key assistance to theaircraft development after 1990 by helping Chengdu engineers integratethe Lyulka-Saturn AL-31F turbofan engine into the aircraft.

The J-10 is single-engine fighter with a rectangle belly air intake,low-mounted delta wings, and front canard wings. The airframe possessesa large vertical tail, as well as canards placed near the cockpit. Theair intake is rectangular in shape, and is located beneath thefuselage. The aircraft is the first Chinese-made fighter to be fittedwith a large two-piece bubble canopy to provide 360 degrees of visualcoverage for the pilot. If necessary, the aircraft could be fitted withan in-flight refuelling probe.


The J-10 fighter represents the highest achievement of the Chineseaviation industry today. The aircraft achieves high manoeuvrability byusing a large amount of composite materials in its fuselage and wingstructures to reduce the its overall weight and thus increase thethrust-to-weight ratio. The aircraft design is aerodynamicallyunstable, to provide a high level of agility, low drag and enhancedlift. The pilot controls the aircraft through a computerised digital,quadruplex (four-channel) “fly-by-wire� (FBW) system, whichprovides artificial stabilisation and gust elevation to give goodcontrol characteristics throughout the flight envelope. Theaircraft’s cockpit avionics and fire-control system are alsobelieved to be superior to those of other Chinese indigenous fighteraircraft.

In the late 1990s, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimated thatthe J-10 could be as manoeuvrable as the U.S. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.With its advanced “fly-by-wire� system, the J-10 may have abetter aerodynamic performance compared to the Russian Su-27, whichstill uses the conventional control method. The Hong Kong-basednewspaper Sing Tao Jih Pao reported on 29 May 2004 that during anaerial war game conducted by the PLAAF, the J-10 fighter has beaten theSu-27 fighter in all three rounds of “dogfight� in themid-air.

The J-10A single-seat fighter entered service with the PLAAF in 2003,with 50~70 examples delivered so far. The production continues at arate of 2~3 units per month. The two-seat variant J-10B joined theservice In 2006. The aircraft may become available for export market by2007~08.


Weapons

The fixed weapon on the J-10 includes a single-barrel 23mm internal cannon.

The aircraft has 11 stores stations – six under the wing andthree under the fuselage. The inner wing and centre fuselage stationsare plumped to carry external fuel tanks.

The aircraft carries a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponsfor different mission profiles. For interception and air-superioritymission, the aircraft carries the indigenous 2~4 PL-12 activeradar-homing medium-range air-to-air missile and 2 PL-8 infrared-homingshort-range air-to-air missiles. It is not clear whether the aircraftis equipped with helmet-mounted sight (HMS) but the technology isavailable.

For ground attack roles, the J-10 will carry 500kg laser-guided bombs(LGB), free-fall bombs, and 90mm unguided rocket launcher pods.

The two front hardpoints under the fuselage can be used to carry target acquisition and navigation pods.


Power Plant

The initial production variant J-10s are powered by the RussianLyulka-Saturn AL-31F turbofan rated at 17,857lb (79.43kN) dry and27,557lb st (122.58kN) with afterburning. The same powerplant is alsobeing used by the PLAAF's Su-27 and Su-30 fighters. The AL-31FN modelused by the J-10 has been specially modified to fit theaircraft’s fuselage. Lyulka-Saturn delivered 54 AL-31F turbofanengines to China between 2002 and 2004 for the initial batch of theJ-10.

In July 2005, China ordered an additional 100 AL-31FN engines for moreJ-10 productions. Some reports suggested that these could be theimproved model with increased thrust and possibly a fully variable,all-aspect thrust vector control (TVC) nozzle. Lyulka-Saturndemonstrated a TVC-equipped AL-31FN during the 2002 Zhuhai Air Show.The TVC capability would further enhance the aircraft's manoeuvrability.

Shenyang-based AVIC1 Aviation Engine Institute has been developing theindigenous WS-10A turbofan engine, which is also known as‘Taihang’ in its commercial name. Reportedly based on someAL-31F technologies, the engine is rated at 73.5kN dry and 110kN withafterburning.

The WS-10A development was completed in December 2005 and the enginesmay be ready for batch production soon. It was reported that the latervariants of the J-10 and J-11 fighters will be powered by the WS-10A.

source: http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j10.asp

NEWDELHI: The Army is now revising its five-year-old doctrine to effectively meetthe challenges of a possible `two-front war' with China and Pakistan, deal withasymmetric and fourth-generation warfare, enhance strategic reach and jointoperations with IAF and Navy.

Work on the new war doctrine -- toreflect the reconfiguration of threat perceptions and security challenges -- isalready underway under the aegis of Shimla-based Army Training Command, headedby Lt-General A S Lamba, said sources.

It comes in the backdrop ofthe 1.13-million strong Army having practised -- through several wargames overthe last five years -- its `pro-active' war strategy to mobilise fast and strikehard to pulverise the enemy.

This `cold start strategy', under a NBC(nuclear-chemical-biological) overhang, emerged from the `harsh lessons' learntduring Operation Parakram, where it took Army's strike formations almost a monthto mobilise at the `border launch pads' after the December 2001 terrorist attackon Parliament.

This gave ample opportunity to Pakistan to shore upits defences as well as adequate time to the international community, primarilythe US, to intervene. The lack of clear directives from the then NDA governmentonly made matters worse.

"A major leap in our approach to conduct ofoperations (since then) has been the successful firming-up of the cold startstrategy (to be able to go to war promptly)," said Army chief General DeepakKapoor, at a closed-door seminar on Tuesday.

The plan now is tolaunch self-contained and highly-mobile `battle groups', with Russian-originT-90S tanks and upgraded T-72 M1 tanks at their core, adequately backed by aircover and artillery fire assaults, for rapid thrusts into enemy territory within96 hours.

Gen Kapoor identified five thrust areas that will drive thenew doctrine. One, even as the armed forces prepare for their primary task ofconventional wars, they must also factor in the eventuality of `a two-front war'breaking out.

In tune with this, after acquiring a greater offensivepunch along the entire western front with Pakistan by the creation of a newSouth-Western Army Command in 2005, India is now taking steps -- albeitbelatedly -- to strategically counter the stark military asymmetry with China inthe eastern sector. There is now "a proportionate focus towards the western andnorth-eastern fronts", said Gen Kapoor.

Two, the Army needs to`optimise' its capability to effectively counter `both military and non-militaryfacets' of asymmetric and sub-conventional threats like WMD terrorism, cyberwarfare, electronic warfare and information warfare.

Three, the armedforces have to substantially enhance their strategic reach and out-of-areacapabilities to protect India's geo-political interests stretching from PersianGulf to Malacca Strait.

"This would enable us to protect our islandterritories; as also give assistance to the littoral states in the Indian OceanRegion," said Gen Kapoor.

Four, interdependence and operationalsynergy among Army, Navy and IAF must become the essence of strategic planningand execution in future wars. "For this, joint operations, strategic andspace-based capability, ballistic missile defence and amphibious, air-borne andair-land operations must be addressed comprehensively," he said.

Andfive, India must strive to achieve a technological edge over its adversaries."Harnessing and exploitation of technology also includes integration of networkcentricity, decision-support systems, information warfare and electronic warfareinto our operational plans," he added.

Apart from analysing theevolving military strategy and doctrines of China and Pakistan, the Army is alsostudying the lessons learnt from the US-launched Operation Enduring Freedom inAfghanistan in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and their relevance toIndia.

Pakistan Air Force has inducted the first of the four Saab-2000Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) aircraft in its fleet.
With this acquisition from Sweden, Pakistan on Tuesday became thesecond country in the region after India to have inducted thesophisticated surveillance aircraft in its air force.
The aircraft is fitted with the latest technology to detect aircraftflying at high and medium altitudes. With state-of-the-art system, itis also capable of detecting objects flying at lower levels over landand sea at extended ranges. The system is also capable of detectingsurface targets over sea.
The Erieye system provides 300 degree coverage and has an effectivedetection range of only 300 km to 350 km. It uses a pulse Doppler radarwith a fixed, wedge-shaped antenna.

“By virtue of these features, Pakistan Air Force would be able toboost its operational capability manifold by achieving requisite earlywarning for efficient and meaningful air defence of its airspace,” anofficial statement said.
As compared to Pakistan’s AWAC system, the Indian Phalcon systemprovides tactical surveillance of airborne and surface targets andhelps gather signal intelligence. It is also capable of trackingfighter planes, missiles and ground forces from a distance of 400kilometres and in all weather conditions.
Pakistan also has plans to acquire four larger advanced warning andcontrol aircraft systems from China, according to agency reports. –Brahmand

June 27, 2010

SHAHBAZ AIR BASE: With the induction of latest version of F-16aircraft, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has achieved the capability to carryout all-weather night time operations, said Chief of Air Staff AirChief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman here on Sunday.

Addressing the formal handing over ceremony of three Block 52 C/Dversion of F-16 aircraft by the US at the newly developed base nearJacobabad, Chief of Air Staff said this technology will not onlyeliminate our existing limitations of precision night operations butalso enable the PAF to meet its mission more effectively.

“The mission of the PAF is to Maintain Peace with Honor in the Region:should this primary effort of maintaining peace fail, we will use ourresources including these aircraft to defend our country against anyinternal or external threats.”


General Norton A Schwartz, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force(USAF), especially visited Pakistan to attend the handing over ceremony.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson, Vice Admiral MichaelLeFever, US Defence Representative in Pakistan along with other seniorPAF, USAF, civil and military officials were also present on theoccasion. Lt Gen Hostage of USAF (Centcom) handed over the documents ofthe newly inducted aircraft to Air Marshal Mohammad Hasan, Deputy Chiefof Air Staff (Operations), PAF.

The newly manufactured aircraft by Lokheed Martin had reached Pakistan on Saturday.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar termed the handing over of the aircraft toPakistan a happy augury as the deal for supply of these aircraft by theUS was signed back in 2006, but it became controversial at the hands ofcritics on both sides.

However, he said of late it matured following efforts put in by the “good people” living in both the friendly countries.

Later, talking to media-persons, he said other countries in the regionhad already such type of aircraft available with them while acquiringof latest F-16 aircraft by Pakistan has brought back the balance ofpower in the region.

The Chief of Air Staff while addressing the gathering said that PAF menmade round the clock efforts to complete the Shahbaz Base as a fullyfledged air base, which only a year back was being used as a forwardoperation base.

“PAF Base, Shahbaz has been developed into a modern Base capable ofhandling state-of-the-art and most modern fighter aircraft of the worldin less than a year.”

Completion of this task in a record time reflects the spirit of PAF,which is used to working against heavy odds and meeting the assignedtasks within the available limited resources. These new aircraft willbegin a new era of hi-tech environment in the PAF.

As far as the overhauling and up-gradation of existing F-16 aircraft isconcerned, he said initially 14 aircraft from the existing fleet of PAFwould be upgraded with the US assistance as a team of technicians,engineers and experts had already been working to transfer theup-gradation and repair skills to their Pakistani counterparts.

This handing over has formally started the delivery of the fleet of 18F-16 C/D Block 52 fighter aircraft to Pakistan. PAF would receive thesestate-of-the-art aircraft from the US Government in different batches.

The delivery of all the 18 aircraft would complete by the end of thisyear. In addition to delivery of 18 aircraft by US, he said thefriendly country would also help Pakistan in upgrading existing lot ofF-16 aircraft matching to the latest version of the fighting falcons.

The Chief of Air Staff also announced an uplift package for the peopleof Jacobabad according to which PAF would immediately provide threewater filtration plants, besides constructing a hospital and school inthe area.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan