The Trump administration has given the go-ahead for $397 million in foreign aid to Pakistan to maintain its F-16 fighter jet fleet. This is a component of a larger authorization of many billion dollars in security-related exemptions.
This decision repeals 2018 policy of Trump, where he stopped military aid to Pakistan fearing it was not doing enough to combat terrorist organizations. Later in 2022 the Biden administration lifted the ban and agreed on a $450 million plan to support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.
F-16 Use Following Balakot Airstrike Aftermath
Especially notable on February 26, which commemorates the sixth anniversary of India’s Balakot airstrike, is the reference to F-16s. Pakistan sent its F-16s to engage the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a dogfight after the strike. Then-Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 during the dispute.
Pakistan was criticized for using the F-16s at all, apart from the loss of an expensive fighter jet. The country had executed an end-user agreement with the US specifying that the planes were only for counter-terrorism missions.
India opposed this infringement and in 2022, when the Biden government restored security assistance, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Regarding the intended purpose of the F-16s for Pakistan, Jaishankar slammed the decision stating, “You are not fooling anybody.”
US to Keep Track of Pakistani F-16 Missions
For a US-supported initiative that governs Pakistan’s usage of F-16s, recently authorized $397 million goes toward guaranteeing they are used only for counter-terrorism missions. Reuters said the plan would watch Pakistan’s adherence to the treaty meant to stop the planes from being turned against India, quoting a congressional aide.
In light of fears that US defense technology could be compromised, America is particularly concerned about Pakistan’s military cooperation with China. As such, Pakistan cannot store its US-supplied F-16s at the same bases where the JF-17s, co-developed with China, are based.
This decision reflects Washington’s balancing act of supporting Pakistan’s security requirements while ensuring that American military assets are not exploited or provided to strategic competitors.
