The US administration under former President Donald Trump has authorized the sale of advanced technology worth $686 million to upgrade F-16 fighter jets of Pakistan, according to a notification sent by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress on December 8.
The package includes LINK 16 systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics, updates, training, and comprehensive logistical support. The letter makes clear that the rationale for the sale is to modernize Pakistan’s F-16 fleet and addressing operational safety concerns. It also focuses on Pakistan’s readiness to absorb the technology. The Lockheed Martin Company of Fort Worth, Texas will serve as the contractor for the sale.
The letter reads that the deal “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.”
The total estimated value of the sale is $686 million with major defense equipment valued at $37 million and other items at $649 million. The major defense equipment includes 92 LINK-16 data LINK systems and six inert MK-82-500 LV general-purpose bomb bodies.
These updates will provide more “seamless integration and interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the US Air Force in combat operations, exercises, and training, and refurbishment will extend the aircraft life through 2040 while addressing critical flight safety concerns,” the letter adds.
Second upgrade to Pak F-16 fleet since op Sindoor by India. First had missiles, latest has bombs and secure data links.
IAF had hit Chakala, Jacobabad and Sargodha on May 10, all three hold F-16 infra.@thetribunechd
Link👇https://t.co/Oj4AmvG1G2 pic.twitter.com/HuCV1oez6e— Ajay Banerjee (@ajaynewsman) December 12, 2025
The letter notes that the country “has shown a commitment to maintaining its military forces and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
The LINK-16 is an advanced command-control communication intelligence system. It is a secure, real-time communication network that shares tactical data among allied forces and is used by US and its allied NATO forces. The system has proven strong against electronic jamming from enemy air and ground assets. The rest of the deal consists of $649 million worth of non-MDE equipment including the AN-APQ-10C simple key loaders and AN-APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe system. These systems are used to identify hostile and allied aircraft.
It also includes hardware and software modifications to support the operational flight programs and avionics updates as well as KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic appliques which are National Security Agency certified modules that are used in military aircraft and other tactical systems for secure communications and identifications.
“It provides the warfighter key theatre functions such as surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement coordination, and direction for all services and allied forces,” the letter read.
The equipment are also expected to cover additional communications precision navigation and cryptographic devices, joint mission planning systems in support, common munitions, built-in test reprogramming equipment in ADU-981 missile adapter units, other weapons integration testing support equipment, spare and repair parts, software delivery and support, publications and technical documentations, full motion simulators, personal training and training equipment are also included.
The package is also expected to provide Pakistan, the U.S. government and contractor engineering technical and logistical services, studies and surveys and Pakistan had requested to upgrade its F-16 fleet in 2021 amid its strained relations but Washington had delayed its response.
Read more: Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14-year imprisonment
The country is now less dependent on F-16s having acquired and jointly developed other platforms which have proved their worth during the May conflict against India. Pakistan currently has 70 to 80 working F-16s in its fleet. Some of these are older but upgraded Block 15 models, some are former Jordanian F-16s and some are newer Block 52 plus models.
The F-16s, also called the F-16 Fighting Falcon or the Viper, is a single-engine aircraft used for air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack by U.S. and its allies. The jets are being currently manufactured by U.S. defense and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Pakistan is rapidly upgrading its defence systems amid the looming threat of renewed conflict with India, following the intense five-day clash in May earlier this year. Since then, tensions have remained high, with both nations concentrating on boosting their combat preparedness and military capabilities.