Kamal Ghorui
US goes ahead with radar upgrade for Pak’s F-16 fleet, move a worry for India
In a decision that will raise India’s concerns, the US is going ahead with a radar upgrade programme for Pakistan’s F16 fleet, which comprises 75 to 85 fighter jets. In a $488 mn deal, American defence major Northrop Grumman Systems Corp has been contracted to provide engineering and technical support for F-16 radar systems under the United States Air Force (USAF)’s foreign military sales programme for Pakistan and other beneficiary countries.The April 2026 contract was announced amid heightened tensions in the region following India’s Operation Sindoor which saw missile strikes on Pakistan terror hubs and military assets, including air bases. The F16 upgrade programme also comes at a time when Pakistan has been hosting US and Iran delegations in Islamabad for peace negotiations to end the West Asia conflict.The radar upgrade work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2036.Pakistan’s F16 upgrade plan will be noted with concern by India as Indian Air Force’s aircraft squadron numbers have dipped to an alarming 29, as against the minimum sanctioned strength of 42 required to fight a two-front war with China and Pakistan.The development comes months after a separate US notification in Dec 2025 when the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) had informed Congress of a proposed $686 million package to upgrade and support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.Besides Pakistan, the April 2026 contract involves military sales to countries that include Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Oman, Poland and Türkiye.
