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Pentagon denies deal on F-16s

Washington, June 20
The Pentagon has denied reports that the US plans to release to Pakistan advanced versions of F-16 fighter jets that were sold in late 1980s but never delivered because of Islamabad’s nuclear arms programme.

“It is a completely false story,” Commander Randy Sandoz, a Pentagon spokesman, said yesterday referring to media reports about the deal.

The USA blocked the delivery to Pakistan of 28 F-16s after deciding it could no longer certify that Pakistan had no nuclear programme.

Pakistan went public as a nuclear power in May 1998 when it test-detonated several nuclear devices.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s top defence official said today that President Pervez Musharraf would seek US assistance in upgrading the country’s military, including the release of F-16s purchased more than 13 years ago.

Defence Secretary Hamid Nawaz Khan was unaware of any plans by Washington to announce the release of the fighter jets during Musharraf’s visit there, as reported by the US-based Defence and Foreign Affairs Journal and the Strat for global affairs think-tank.

“We are trying our best not only to get F-16s but other things for the modernisation of our defence forces,” Khan, a retired Lieutenant-General, said.

“I do not really know (about F-16 plans), but what really happens (during the visit) you cannot say.”

“We will always buy the best equipment that can be bought for our armed forces.” AFP