US to sell thermal weapon sights to Pakistan

Washington, Apr 6: The US is poised to sell sophisticated thermal weapon sights to Pakistan following the Obama administration's decision to provide eight F-16 fighter jets and nine AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters worth USD 170 million to the country.

The Pentagon yesterday awarded a USD 17 million contract to Raytheon for supply of the thermal weapon sights and spares which improve targeting and surveillance capabilities by enabling soldiers to spot targets at long distances through haze, dust, fog and other obscurants.

Raytheon is known as a pioneer in thermal weapons sights. The Pentagon yesterday said Raytheon has been awarded a USD 17,877,938 firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract (Pakistan) for thermal weapon sights and spares, training, and contract data requirements lists.

One bid was solicited with one received. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas; and Pakistan, with an estimated completion date of October 30, 2017. Fiscal 2010 other procurement funds in the amount of USD 17,877,938 were obligated at the time of the award, the statement said.

PTI