The United States has approved a potential deal worth $450 million to Pakistan to supply equipment for the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets.
According to the Reuters news agency, the US State Department has said that the US company Lockheed Martin will be awarded the contract for this agreement.
On Thursday, the US Department of State's Office of Political and Military Affairs confirmed the deal's approval in a tweet.
Under this agreement, the US government and the contractor company will provide engineering, technical and logistics services to Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets.
In 2019, the US also approved $125 million in aid for F-16 aircraft.According to the statement of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the United States, the request was made by the government of Pakistan for assistance in the maintenance program of the F-16 aircraft.
The statement said that the US government will also provide support on engines, equipment, repairs, software and other matters related to the F-16 aircraft.
The statement clarified that the deal does not include the sale of any new weapons, war equipment or additional capabilities.
According to the statement, this agreement will help in achieving the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States, while it will also help Pakistan in its ongoing efforts against terrorism and prepare for future contingency operations.
