Unpacking the US-Pakistan F-16 Deal: What's Really Going On?

The United States recently gave the green light to a $686 million deal to upgrade Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets. This move comes at a time when tensions between Pakistan and India are high, following a recent conflict in Kashmir. The deal includes advanced technology and maintenance to keep Pakistan's F-16 fleet in top shape. But why is this happening now, and what does it mean for the region? Pakistan has around 70 to 80 operational F-16s, a mix of older models and newer ones. The US deal includes upgrades for flight operations, electronic systems, and navigation, as well as spare parts and repairs. It also includes advanced identification systems and secure communication tools for military use. The deal also includes some training equipment and inert bomb casings for practice. The F-16, also known as the Fighting Falcon or Viper, is a versatile fighter jet used for both air-to-air combat and ground attacks. It's one of the most widely used fighters in the world, operated by 29 countries. Pakistan has used F-16s in recent conflicts, including the May clash with India. The conflict between India and Pakistan escalated after an attack in Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, which Pakistan denied. The two countries engaged in a three-day aerial war, with Pakistan deploying F-16s among other aircraft. A ceasefire was eventually brokered, with US President Donald Trump taking credit for the truce. The US-Pakistan deal is happening at a time when the US is putting pressure on India to buy more weapons. India has been buying cheap Russian oil, which has not gone down well with the US. In response, the US imposed higher tariffs on Indian imports. Despite this, India plans to continue buying Russian oil. The US insists that the F-16 upgrade will not change the military balance in the region. However, India has previously opposed US-Pakistan defense cooperation, claiming that the F-16s are used against it. Meanwhile, Pakistan has been diversifying its weapons suppliers, with China providing more than 80% of its weapons since 2020.