Still Buying Pakistan, But, You Can’t Buy Friends
ISLAMABAD: The United States will soon deliver 10 refurbished F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, including four aircraft to be supplied this month.
The US Congress on Wednesday notified the delivery of the F-16 jets to Pakistan. The aircraft are part of a batch of 12 refurbished jets that Pakistan is getting from the US, and two F-16s have already been delivered.
It is reported that Pakistan will receive eight jets over two months - four each in June and July this year - while the remaining two F-16s will be delivered subsequently.
The jets are being supplied to Pakistan for its role as a “major non-NATO ally of the US” and the move reflects the close defence relations between the two countries.
Pakistan signed a separate agreement with the US in 2006 for purchasing 18 new F-16 jets and associated weapon systems. The country had originally planned to buy 36 fighters but halved its order due to a financial crunch.
The Pakistan Air Force also has plans to replace its ageing F-7, Mirage III and Q-5 jets with the JF-17, which the country has jointly developed with China. The two countries began production of the JF-17 in January and eight jets are expected to be inducted by the PAF by the year-end.
Will the new administration have a different Foreign Policy? This kind of bribery has been used for so long, it must be replaced very carefully. The US has bribery momentum with too many countries, lotsa strings attached.
” Money can’t buy friends, but you can get a better class of enemy.” - Spike Milligan
“A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul.” - Ambrose Bierce
“Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.” - Thomas Jones
“Choose your friends carefully. Your enemies will choose you.” - Yassir Arafat
“Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.” - Samuel Butler
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June 5th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Typical Republican move. Arm the enemy then attack them when they are too stong.