Pak to get 8 F-16’s by June 2010: PAF chief - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pakistan would acquire eight new F-16 fighter jets by June 2010, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has said. In an interview with The Dawn, Suleman said the PAF is in the process of getting more advanced weapons to enhance its capability. Referring to the induction of the advanced early warning control system aircraft, Saab-2000, in the PAF’s fleet, he said the country’s frontiers have become more secure due to the procurement of such sophisticated systems. It may be noted that Pakistan had inked an 866 million dollar deal with Sweden for the supply of four Saab-aircrafts. The aircraft is fitted with the latest technology to detect aircraft flying at high and medium altitudes. With a state-of-the-art system, it is also capable of detecting objects flying at lower levels over land and sea at extended ranges. The system is also capable of detecting surface targets over sea. As compared to Pakistan ’s airborne early warning system, the Indian Phalcon system provides tactical surveillance of airborne and surface targets and helps gather signal intelligence. It is also capable of tracking fighter planes, missiles and ground forces from a distance of 400 kilometres and in all weather conditions.