The United States will upgrade Pakistan F-16 fighter jets for which the U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.
The $488 million contract covers long-term engineering and technical support of F-16 Fighting Falcon radar systems for fleet operated by Pakistan and other countries including Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Thailand and Turkiye.
As per a notice the contract awarded under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program with firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity supports the APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems used on F-16 fighter aircraft.
The upgrades will be carried out in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, are scheduled to continue through March 31, 2036.
In a separate US notification in December 2025, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) informed Congress of a proposed $686 million package to upgrade and support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. That deal includes Link-16 tactical data systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics upgrades, training and logistical support.
According to DSCA the proposed sale aims to strengthen interoperability among Pakistan, the US, and partner forces for counterterrorism cooperation and future contingency operations.
US greenlights major F-16 deal for Pakistan to keep fighter fleet operational through 2040
The deal includes modifications to operational flight programs, identification friend-or-foe systems, precision navigation tools and secure communications equipment and also covers simulators, technical documentation, software updates and engineering support.
Lockheed Martin will be the principal contractor for the proposed upgrade program, which U.S. officials said would have no adverse impact on US defense readiness.
The DSCA notification said the package is intended to modernize Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, extend its service life through 2040, and address operational safety and avionics requirements. It also stated that Pakistan had demonstrated the capacity to absorb the upgrades and maintain its existing fleet.
Pakistan first bought F-16 jets in the 1980s. After the 9/11 events, Pakistan became a major non-NATO ally and added several more aircraft.
Currently, Pakistan Air Force also uses JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, which Islamabad has developed in cooperation with China.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
