F-16s to enhance Pak punch: Musharraf

Asserting that the US decision to provide F-16s would increase Pakistan’s strategic capability and deterrence, President Pervez Musharr...

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Asserting that the US decision to provide F-16s would increase Pakistan’s strategic capability and deterrence, President Pervez Musharraf today said the jet fighters, along with US-made P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft and Chinese F-22 frigates will ‘‘enhance the offensive punch’’ of the country’s defences.

‘‘The inclusion of P-3C Orion aircraft, F 22-P frigates and acquisition of F-16 fighter aircraft would certainly enhance the offensive punch of our Defence,’’ he said while addressing the debriefing session of Pakistan navy’s wargame ‘Shamsheer-e-Bahr-II,’ involving all three services at naval headquarters in Karachi today.

‘‘These state-of-the-art platforms will augment our defence capabilities and play a pivotal role in any future scenario,’’ he said.

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The F-16s would increase Pakistan’s strategic capability as the country has been asking for it for awhile, PTV quoted Musharraf as saying. ‘‘It our longstanding demand which has now been met. It will also help our strategy of defensive deterrence,’’ he said.

There was no limitation on number of aircraft and ‘‘we will decide according to our requirements,’’ Musharraf added. Musharraf said Pakistan was being offered the latest F-16 version.

Earlier, Air Force Chief Air Marshal Kaleem Sadat said hinted that Pakistan plans to buy from the US about 70 F-16s for $3 billion. A team of American defence experts is expected to be in Islamabad shortly to discuss the modalities of the sale of the fighter aircraft, he said.

He added, Pakistan might go for fourth generation fighters to meet the country’s defence requirements. ‘‘We got only an intimation that US President Bush had asked Congress to release Pakistan F-16s. We will get F-16 CNDs (block 50/52),’’ he added.