Pakistan’s Bid to Buy F-16s From Jordan Will Require US Approval

After a failed deal with the US, Pakistan turned to Jordan. However, they may need US permission to buy from Jordan.

File photo of a F-16 fighter jet. (Photo: iStockphoto)

After a failed attempt to score F-16 fighter jets from the United States, Pakistan’s bid to purchase used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan may not come easy. Why? It will require approval from the US and be subject to end-use monitoring, officials in Washington DC have said.

A State Department official, who requested anonymity, was responding to a question on reports that Pakistan is considering buying used F-16 jets from Jordan.

Jordan came into the picture after the US deal failed because of the opposition from lawmakers in the US Congress who want Islamabad to take strong action against the Haqqani network.

While we are not going to speculate on reports that Pakistan may look to purchase used F-16s elsewhere, we would note that under US law, any re-transfers of US-origin defence items to a third party require approval from the US Government, may require Congressional notification, and would be subject to end-use monitoring.

State Department Official

A file photo of F-16 fighters. (Photo: Reuters)

The official added that the proposed terms and conditions of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the Pakistan-US sale deal expired on 24 May, closing doors for Pakistan.

Also Read: After Failed US Deal, Pak Considers Used Jordanian F-16s Instead

After the deal failed, Pakistan’s Defense Secretary, retired Lieutenant General Alam Khattak announced the third party transfer of F16s from Jordan. When asked about Khattak’s comment, another US official said:

We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to speak to their decision and future defence procurement plans.

However, it is possible that Pakistan has other options to explore in their endeavour of procuring F-16s from the US at full price.

Informed sources argued that if Pakistan wants to pursue the sale, it could initiate fresh talks with Lockheed Martin – the manufacturer – and negotiate a new price for the F-16s it wants to buy.