Pak gets second batch of three F-16 jets from US

Islamabad, Oct 31 (ANI): The United States delivered the second batch of three F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft to Pakistan at its PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) on Saturday, and will send two more during the next week.

Brigadier General Michael Nagata, Deputy Commander, Office of Defence Representative in Pakistan handed over the aircraft on behalf of the US government to Air Marshal Muhammad Hasan, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations), the Daily Times reported.

In 2005-06, Pakistan had signed a contract with the US government for the acquisition of 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft. Under this arrangement, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would receive these state-of-the-art aircraft from the US in staggered batches.

While the first batch of three aircraft arrived in Pakistan in May 2010, the deliveries of the rest of the aircraft would be completed by December 2010.

The F-16 C/D aircraft is a high tech fighter aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics suite and latest weapons with Night Precision Attack capability. These aircraft are part of the bid by PAF to modernise and enhance its air defence capabilities. (ANI)