US awards $488m F-16 radar support contract, Pakistan included in FMS programme

• Northrop Grumman to provide long-term engineering support for F-16 radar systems

• Pakistan among multiple countries covered under Foreign Military Sales deal

• Fleet of around 50 F-16s remains key asset in Pakistan’s air defence capability as support focuses on APG-66/68 radar systems under USAF contract

 ISLAMABAD: The United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded a $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for long-term engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems, with Pakistan included among the countries covered under the deal.

The contract involves Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets, which remain among the most significant assets in Pakistan’s defence inventory. The country reportedly operates a fleet of around 50 F-16 aircraft, each valued at a minimum of $40 million.

Pakistan originally acquired these jets from the United States under the Peace Gate programme in the 1980s; however, it has since faced recurring challenges in securing technical upgrades and sustained support for the fleet.

Under the new agreement, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. has been awarded a ceiling $488 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F-16 System Program Office Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Air Force/Navy support.

According to the US Department of War website, “This contract provides for the engineering and technical support of F-16 radar (APG-66/68).”

The contract covers Foreign Military Sales (FMS) support for multiple countries, including Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Thailand and Türkiye.

Earlier in December, the United States had also approved a separate $686 million sale of advanced technology support and equipment for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, according to a letter issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress. The move was described as enabling Islamabad to continue partnering with Washington in counterterrorism cooperation.

Pakistan and the United States have remained key strategic partners. The proposed sale came amid a period of renewed engagement, as Washington under US President Donald Trump warmed ties with Islamabad following recent meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

According to a copy of the DSCA document dated December 8, Pakistan had requested the purchase of 92 Link-16 communication and data-sharing systems and six Mk-82 inert 500-pound general purpose bomb bodies.

The request also included non-major defence equipment such as aircraft hardware and software modifications, precision navigation systems, cryptographic devices, weapons integration components, and associated test, spare and repair support equipment.

The letter stated that “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.”