'Pak ordered arms worth up to $4.5bn from US'

Washington, Sep 17: According to a congressional report Pakistan placed an order of up to 4.5 billion dollars worth of weapons with United States between 2005 and 2008.

Its largest ever arms purchase orders included more F-16 fighters and over hundred 155 MM artillery guns. Also on its shopping list were, thirty-six latest block 50/52 F-16C jets and their air-to-air missiles and bombs worth 640 million dollars.

While the arms deal provided for mid-life modification of its earlier F-16 A/B fighters, Pakistan also sought 115 M109A5 155 MM self propelled howitzers worth 52 million dollars.

'US Arms Sales to Pakistan' report shows arms purchase agreement by Pakistan signed in 2006 was in excess of 3.5 billion dollars. With this, the country's ranking mounted to the first slot among all arms clients of the US during that calendar year.

And if in case the Islamabad's actions were against the national security interests of the United States, the report informs US lawmakers that America can suspend or terminate any arms sales agreement with Pakistan or the delivery of weapons previously ordered.

OneIndia News