Asia-Pacific

US to provide 14 F-16 jet planes to Pakistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-27 20:33

ISLAMABAD - The United States has agreed to provide another 14 F-16 jet planes to Pakistan till December this year, Pakistani Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said at a media briefing Saturday.

He said that in June this year, the US authorities would start delivery of planes, adding that America would also provide Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles along with the jet planes.

The Pakistan Air Force is capable of thwarting both conventional and unconventional threats from enemy, he said.

The air force chief said that the Pakistan Air Force is focusing on its preparedness and is taking stock of it preparations according to the modern trends.

On March 24, Pakistan and the US held strategic dialogue and the latter wants to improve ties with Pakistan.

It is worth to mention that the news about the provision of F-16 planes to Pakistan came at the time when India tested two types of short-range ballistic missiles.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has repeatedly said that it is the policy of Pakistan to keep minimum deterrence and strategic balance in the region.