Disappointed at Indian response over US F-16 sale: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed its surprise and disappointment over Indian reaction to the US decision to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.

"We are surprised and disappointed at the Indian Government's reaction,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that India’s army and arsenal stock is much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment.

“As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism,” he said.

The spokesman said that the US spokesperson had clearly announced that the sale is to enhance precision strike capability.

India said it was disappointed with the US decision. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter.

India media reported that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey India’s “displeasure”.

The US government said on Friday it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal.

The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.