WASHINGTON – Pakistan, which recently received 14 F-16s from the US with 14 more on their way, is negotiating for more such fighter jets and simultaneously developing its manufacturing capabilities to reduce its reliance on the Americans, a media report said on Wednesday. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman disclosed this in an interview to Aviation Week, but he gave no indication of how many more F-16s Pakistan is seeking from Lockheed Martin.
Qamar spoke to Aviation Week in Melbourne where he was attending an air chiefs’conference. “Qamar says negotiations are ongoing for the remaining 14,” the Aviation Week said. Pakistan has a total of 63 F-16s 45 A/Bs and 18 C/Ds.