Article Posted on : - Apr 30, 2010

US made F-16 fighters

WASHINGTON (PTI): Asserting that the sale of F-16 to Pakistan is a sign of burgeoning relationship between the two countries, the Pentagon Friday said that another USD 600 million is en route to Islamabad in the next few weeks.

At the same time, the Pentagon official observed that sending more US personal to the country and their visa continues to be a major bottleneck.

"The F-16 sale is a sign of this burgeoning relationship between us and increased defence cooperation between our two countries. So the personnel that are going there in advance of the arrival of those planes are to assist the Pakistanis so that they can operate these sophisticated warplanes," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell.

The United States is sending some 50 additional personnel to Pakistan in June, accompanying for new F-16 fighter aircraft; thus increasing the number of American boots on the ground by 25 per cent. At present there are about 200 US military personnel in Pakistan.