Article Posted on : - Feb 08, 2012

F-16 fighter.

WASHINGTON (PTI): The US Wednesday said the delivery of latest F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan this week reflects that it has maintained a strong military-to-military relationship with Islamabad, despite recent setbacks in their ties.

"The programme represented by this transfer shows that despite setbacks in the bilateral relationship last year our mil-mil cooperation remains ongoing," Pentagon spokesman Commodore William Speaks said.

"We look forward to broadening, expanding, and improving this relationship moving forward," Speaks said in response to a question.

Pakistan on Monday had received the last of the 18 F-16 fighter jets from the US.

Speaks refuted reports that there was any delay in delivering the F-16s.

"There was no delay. This final delivery was made as it had originally been scheduled," he said.