ISLAMABAD :The US and Pakistani officials on Monday opened a new chapter in the partnership between the two countries with the delivery of five new F-16 aircraft to the government of Pakistan. The aircraft were inducted into the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at a ceremony at Shahbaz Air Base near Jacobabad. “The induction into the Pakistan Air Force of five more advanced F-16, Block 52 aircraft represents the near completion of your Block-52 squadron,” said United States Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron P. Munter.
“It also manifests the abiding commitment of the United States to Pakistan’s national defense,” he said. On the occasion Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said, “Pakistan and the United States are friends and partners. Both countries have benefited from each other. ”The F-16 Block 52 aircraft represents the latest configuration of Lockheed Martin’s 4th generation multirole fighter, offering additional fuel and payload capacity, new or improved avionics and sensors and color cockpit displays with enhanced pilot/vehicle interfaces. This is the fourth batch of new F-16s delivered. The first delivery of three took place on June 27. Subsequent deliveries were made on October 30 and November 20. All 18 fighter aircraft will be delivered by January 2012 – Dailymailnews
