Pakistan Air Chief Outlines Procurement Plans

Pakistan is in negotiations with the U.S. to get more Lockheed Martin F-16s over and above what it already has on order, while at the same time it develops its defense manufacturing capability to reduce its reliance on the U.S.

“We have plans to have more F-16s and are negotiating with the U.S. government for more,” says Air Chief Marshall Rao Qamar Suleman, the Pakistani air force chief of air staff. Rao spoke to Aviation Week here, where he was attending an air chiefs’ conference.

When asked how many more aircraft Pakistan wants, Rao declines to specify the number on the grounds that “we are still in the process of negotiations.” “It depends in what form and the time frame,” he adds.

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