Article Posted on : - Apr 28, 2014

A file photo.

ISLAMABAD (PTI): Pakistan Air Force on Sunday inducted five F-16 fighter jets into its fleet, the first batch of the 13 jets received from Jordan.

Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, speaking at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Mushaf in Sargodha where the force received the fighter planes, said the induction of these jets will further increase efficiency of the Air Force.

He said the PAF is fully prepared for an operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

His remarks came as the government is engaged in efforts for a peace dialogue with the banned outfit.

Ambassador of Jordan and senior PAF and Army officers attended the ceremony.

According to reports, Pakistan had signed a contract with Jordan for the supply of 13 fighter jets.

The inclusion of these jets would take the strength of the PAF F-16s to 76.

It has been reported that PAF had agreed to purchase an entire squadron from Jordan, consisting of 12 A models and one B model.

The jets "were in good condition since they had attained Mid-Life Update (MLU) and they would be providing service for another 20 years with almost 3,000 hours on average available to them for flying", according to a media report.