As US agreed to sale eight F-16 jets to Pakistan, along with training, radar and other equipment, worth a total of $699m, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which coordinates such foreign arms sales, said it had informed Congress of the plans on Thursday.
In a statement the agency said, “This proposed sale contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia.”
“The proposed sale improves Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future security threats.”
We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan pic.twitter.com/NGdrAL2m9i
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) February 13, 2016
The F-16 aircraft would allow Pakistan’s Air Force to operate in all kinds of weather, at night, as well as “enhance Pakistan’s ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations.”
Pakistan’s neighbour and rival India said it was “disappointed” by the possible sale.
“We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said on Twitter. “We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism.”
He said India planned to summon the US ambassador “to convey our displeasure.”
