Islamabad: Pakistan has signed an agreement with US for purchase of 18 F-16 fighter jets as also for upgrading its existing fleet, the country's air force announced on Monday.
"The ongoing negotiations regarding F-16s have culminated in the signing of letter of acceptance between the Governments of Pakistan and US on September 30, 2006 at Rawalpindi," Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in a statement.
"The package includes the supply of 18 new F-16s, upgraded used F-16s, upgradation of the present fleet of 32 PAF F-16s, air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry and other support infrastructure," the statement said.
"Subsequent to the signing of letter of acceptance, the supply of aircraft and weapons to Pakistan will take place in due course of time," it said.
But it was not clear as to when the aircraft would be delivered.
Commenting on the deal, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said: "This is something that was expected." "There was a letter of offer followed by discussion about letter of acceptance. The issues have been sorted out."
Reports said the deal is part of $5 billion arms package for Pakistan, which includes an assortment of air and ground weaponry besides the F-16s.
The deal came after Bush Administration received Congressional approval for the sale of 18 new F-16 jets to Pakistan.
In July, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that the F-16s would come with 200 Sidewinder and 500 AIM-120C5 air-to-air missiles plus 800 general purpose 2,000 and 500-pound bombs.
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