Third batch of F-16 C/D Block 52 comprising six fighter aircraft arrived at PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) on Saturday. Chief, Office of Defence Representative of the US in Pakistan, Vice Admiral LeFever handed over the aircraft on behalf of the US Government to Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
Pakistan attaches great significance to its air defence needs. Pakistan had signed a contract with the US Government back in 2005-06 for acquisition of 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft. Under this arrangement, PAF would receive these state-of-the-art aircraft from the US in staggered batches. In this connection, six similar aircraft have already arrived in Pakistan earlier this year. The deliveries of the remaining six aircraft would be completed by next month.
The F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft is a high tech fighter aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics suite and latest weapons having Night Precision Attack capability. These aircraft are part of PAF plans to modernise and enhance its Air Defence capabilities. A number of PAF and US officials attended the ceremony.