Pak to get shadow drones from US within a year

Washington, Mar 30: Under the US-Pakistan strategic cooperation, Islamabad is set to receive 18 of the Block 52 F-16s and Shadow drones within a year.

18 of the Block 52 F-16s, Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigate will be given to Pakistan by fall, a Pentagon official said on Monday, Mar 29.

"Shadow (Drone) is one of the things that they had asked for, and as we expanded and talked about other UAV platforms to be able to use is when they said: Well, let's take a look at them and then let's make sure we're picking the right one," the official added.

Pakistan has received massive military assistance from the US over the past three years.

US has already handed over 14 F-16s, five fast patrol boats, 115 self-propelled howitzer field and artillery cannons, besides vehicles, night-vision goggles, day and night scopes, radios, protective vests and first aid items.

"Other significant military assistance to be provided later through this year through our Foreign Military Sales and Foreign Military Financing programs includes the delivery of the first batch of 18 of the Block 52 F-16s scheduled for the Pakistan Air Force, to arrive sometime this summer; and an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate, the first for Pakistan Navy, this fall," the official said, adding that US' commitment signifies the importance it gives to strategic long-term relationship and support for Pakistan.

OneIndia News