BALI, INDONESIA: The United States has clarified that its $450 million sustainment and related equipment program to support Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets is part of a contract between the two nations and does not represent ‘monetary’ help.
Also read: US Senate has no objection to F-16 deal with Pakistan
The statement came from State Department spokesperson Zed Tarar while talking to Indian news agency ANI.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia, Zed Tarar said, “these are 30-year old aircraft… (provision of) spare parts were in the same contract”, and that United States ‘keeps a close eye on terrorism’.
Also read: US approves possible sale of F-16 equipment to Pakistan: Pentagon
It may be recalled that in September, the Biden administration approved the F-16 package for Pak (reversing an existing ban to do so) after the State Department argued the money would help improve Islamabad meet terror-related threats by maintaining its fighter jet fleet combat ready.
Also read: US-Pak $450 million F-16 deal riles India
