The F-16 deal

This refers to the editorial, ‘The F-16 deal’ (May 3). The Indian lobby in Washington has succeeded in blocking the sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan. We are in no position to make full payment of over $700 million for these aircraft as demanded by US Congress. It appears that the Americans are ignoring that these F-16s are to be used to advance their objective of fighting the Taliban in the Af-Pak region. It is time we took a firm stand and turned towards China to procure aircraft like J-10.

What use are potent aircraft like F-16s with all the restrictions the Americans attach. Anyhow JF17s are going to form the mainstay of the PAF in the years to come. The Americans rushed to supply us with the latest Viper gunship helicopters as we had started to turn towards China and Russia for such helicopters. We have paid a heavy price – both in terms of human and physical – in fighting the US-imposed war on Afghanistan. The Americans tend to forget our sacrifices. They still need us if they want to achieve their vital interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Air Cdre (r) Mohammad Yaqoob Khan

Rawalpindi