Article Posted on : - Nov 21, 2010

The six F-16 C/D Block 52 jets are part of 18 aircraft to be delivered by the US this year.

ISLAMABAD (PTI): The US has handed over a batch of six F-16 fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force during a ceremony at the Shahbaz airbase in the country's southern Sindh province.

Vice Admiral LeFever, head of the Office of the US Defence Representative in Pakistan, handed over the aircraft on behalf of the US government to Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, vice chief of the PAF.

The six F-16 C/D Block 52 jets are part of 18 aircraft to be delivered by the US this year.

They are equipped with a sophisticated avionics suite and weapons systems for carrying out precision night attacks, an official statement said Saturday.

The induction of these aircraft is part of PAF’s plans to modernise and enhance its air defence capabilities.

Pakistan had signed a contract with the US in 2005-06 for the 18 F-16 aircraft. Six jets were delivered earlier this year.

The delivery of the remaining aircraft will be completed next month.