US awards contract for Pak F-16s to Lockheed

Islamabad, May 16: The United States has awarded Lockheed Martin the contract for 18 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP), a part of the new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft programme for Pakistan.

''This sale culminates a two year combined effort by Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control and Aeronautics businesses to upgrade the precision attack capability of one of our key allies,'' the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

''Sniper continues to demonstrate exceptional performance in meeting the requirements and expectations of the warfighter,'' the agency quoted Lockheed Martin's release as saying.

With deliveries beginning in 2008, the Pakistan Air Force will (PAF) benefit from Sniper ATP's stability and imagery, allowing aircrews to perform intelligence, targeting, surveillance and reconnaissance missions from extended standoff ranges.

Pakistan is the eighth international customer after the UK, Canada, Norway, Poland, Oman, Belgium and others to join the US Air Force and Air National Guard flying with Sniper ATP. The contract includes spares and training services.

Sniper ATP is currently flying on the US Air Force and multinational F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, A-10s, B-1s and the Harrier GR9.

UNI