Air Chief fetes newly inducted F-16s

Air Chief fetes newly inducted F-16s

Updated at: 1502 PST, Sunday, June 27, 2010 JACOBABAD: The first batch of the latest version F-16 C/D Block 52 high tech fighter aircraft that arrived Pakistan yesterday at the newly developed PAF Base in Jacobabad, have been formally inducted in Pakistan Air Force, Geo News reported Sunday. Addressing the august ceremony held here in connection with formally inducting the fighter jets in the PAF fleet, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said this was a dream that came true today, underscoring the need for cooperation in future as well. Suleman said the handing of new fighter jets would boost confidence in relations between the two counties, adding the F-16s already present in Pakistan helped a lot in anti-terror war. The inducting of these jets will mark beginning of new chapter in the PAF’s technology; also, they will go a long way in Pakistan’s defence from internal and external challenges. US ambassador in Pakistan Anne Patterson was also present in the ceremony. United States Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Norton Schwartz said, ‘I pay rich tribute to the Pakistani institutions, people and the government for their sacrifices in war against terrorism. Norton said his country will upgrade F-16s already present in Pakistan to be geared up for night-time attack, adding the inclusion of these jets in Pak fleet is a symbol of Pak-US friendship and alliance. General Schwartz said these planes are fully capable to precisely hit the target in war-ravaged areas. Ambassador Patterson said the planes would come in handy to save Pakistani people from saboteurs, adding Pak-US ties are being enhanced not only in defence but in energy sector as well. She said the US government wants to work in concert with the people here in Jacobabad with funds to be provided for water and hospitals here, adding the efforts projected by Pakistan and the US are aimed at creating peace in the region and world. Pakistan attaches great significance to its air defence needs. Taking stock of the situation the country had signed a contract with the US government in 2006 for acquisition of 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft. Under this arrangement, PAF would receive these aircrafts in different batches. The delivery of all the 18 aircrafts would complete by the end of this year. The F-16 C/D Block 52 aircraft is a high tech fighter aircraft equipped with sophisticated state-of-the-art avionics suite, latest weapons with Night Precision Attack capability. These aircraft are much superior to the F-16A/Bs already in the inventory of the PAF. The US gave Pakistan four used F-16 jets last year with 18 more to be yet handed, as the process regarding the supply of these new fighter jets would complete in December 2010.