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Observatory · Defence

Defence sales tracker

US arms sales to Pakistan notified to Congress, and other documented defence transfers, from the F-16s of the 1980s to today’s support contracts: what was offered, what it was said to be worth, and what became of it.

20 records, 1981–2026

$3B$890M$640M$397M$350M$350M$952M$699M$699M$450M$686M

Point at a crate to read its label.

  • Foreign Military Sale
  • Excess Defense Articles
  • Sustainment and support
  • Other or not yet established
  • Value not stated
  • Also on The Long Arc

The manifest

Values are the estimates stated at the time, usually the most a sale could be worth if every option were taken up, in the dollars of the day. A notification to Congress is a possible sale, not a delivery.

  1. 40 F-16A/B fighters in the 1981 package Other Not stated Delivered

    Under the Reagan administration's six-year, $3.2 billion package, Pakistan agreed to buy 40 F-16A/B fighters, with a letter of agreement in December 1981. The first aircraft landed at Sargodha on 15 January 1983 and all 40 were delivered by 1987.

    Type
    Other or not yet established
    Stated value
    Not stated in the sourcesPart of a six-year, $3.2 billion package of economic assistance and military sales credits; no separate figure for the aircraft is given in the sources.
    Status
    Delivered

    On The Long Arc Reagan’s $3.2 billion package and the F-16 deal

    Sources

    1. Chronology of Key Events (US v. Pakistan sanctions case). Peterson Institute for International Economics. Scholarly
    2. F-16 users: Pakistan. F-16.net. Reference
  2. 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters FMS $3 billion Notified

    The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on 28 June 2006 of a possible sale of 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft with engines, equipment and services, worth up to $3 billion if all options were exercised.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $3 billionUp to $3 billion if all options are exercised.
    Transmittal
    No. 06-09
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. U.S. Arms Sales to Pakistan (RS22757). Congressional Research Service (via EveryCRSReport), 2008-01-28. Official
    2. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Cleared for U.S. Arms Buys. Arms Control Association (Arms Control Today), 2006-09. Press
    3. F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft for Pakistan Air Force. DefenceTalk (reproducing the DSCA notice), 2006. Press
  3. F-16A/B Mid-Life Update modification kits FMS $890 million Notified

    In 2006 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency also notified Congress of a possible sale of 60 Mid-Life Update modification kits for Pakistan's F-16A/B fleet, with Falcon Star structural service-life kits and associated equipment and services. CRS put the Mid-Life Update purchase at $890 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $890 millionAs given by CRS for the Mid-Life Update kits.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. U.S. Arms Sales to Pakistan (RS22757, 8 November 2007). Congressional Research Service (University of Maryland copy), 2007-11-08. Official
    2. F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft for Pakistan Air Force. DefenceTalk (reproducing the DSCA notice), 2006. Press
  4. Missiles and bombs for the F-16C/D Block 50/52 FMS $640 million Notified

    A separate 2006 notification covered missiles and bombs to be carried by the F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft. CRS put this part of Pakistan's purchases at over $640 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $640 millionMore than $640 million, as given by CRS.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. U.S. Arms Sales to Pakistan (RS22757, 8 November 2007). Congressional Research Service (University of Maryland copy), 2007-11-08. Official
    2. Pakistan – Weapons for F-16C/D Block 50/52 Aircraft. DefenceTalk (reproducing the DSCA notice), 2006. Press
  5. Technical support services for the Peace Drive F-16 programme Support $100 million Notified

    A possible Foreign Military Sale of US government and contractor technical support services and related logistics support for Pakistan's Peace Drive F-16 programme, with an estimated cost of $100 million, notified to Congress on 29 January 2010.

    Type
    Sustainment and support
    Stated value
    $100 millionEstimated cost.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Pakistan – Technical Support Team. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 2010-01-29. Official
  6. Bell 412EP helicopters FMS $397 million Notified

    The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of Bell 412EP helicopters with associated equipment and services, worth up to $397 million if all options were exercised.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $397 millionUp to $397 million if all options are exercised.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Pakistan – Bell 412EP Helicopters. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Official
    2. Pakistan’s Bell 412 helicopters (Defense Industry Daily). Defense Industry Daily. Press
  7. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 13-70 FMS $100 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 13-70) for a proposed sale to Pakistan, with an estimated value of $100 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $100 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($100 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 13-70
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 13-70). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2013-12-27. Primary document
  8. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 13-76 FMS $100 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 13-76) for a proposed sale to Pakistan, with an estimated value of $100 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $100 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($100 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 13-76
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 13-76). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2014-03-17. Primary document
  9. Eight 43-metre Global Response Cutters (GRC43M) FMS $350 million Notified

    A possible Foreign Military Sale of eight 43-metre Global Response Cutters with naval guns, machine guns, rigid inflatable boats, communications and navigation equipment, training and support, published in the Federal Register in November 2014. The programme was reported at an estimated $350 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $350 millionEstimated cost, as reported.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Arms Sales Notification (Federal Register, 10 November 2014, document 2014-26579). Federal Register (govinfo), 2014-11-10. Official
    2. Pakistan requests GRC43M cutters from US. Naval Technology, 2014. Press
    3. Pakistan – GRC43M Cutters. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Official
  10. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 14-32 FMS $198 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 14-32) for a proposed sale to Pakistan, with an estimated value of $198 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $198 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($198 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 14-32
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 14-32). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2014-09-29. Primary document
  11. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 14-41 FMS $350 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 14-41) for a proposed sale to Pakistan, with an estimated value of $350 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $350 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($350 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 14-41
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 14-41). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2014-11-10. Primary document
  12. 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 Hellfire II missiles FMS $952 million Notified

    The State Department cleared a possible $952 million sale of 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, 32 T-700 engines and 1,000 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles with targeting systems and support, to support Pakistan's counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $952 millionEstimated cost.
    Transmittal
    No. 15-05
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Pakistan – AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 2015-04-06. Official
    2. DSCA notice: Pakistan – AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters (copy). GlobalSecurity.org (reproducing DSCA), 2015-04-06. Official
    3. State Dept OKs $952M Pakistan Helo Deal. Defense News, 2015-04-07. Press
  13. Eight F-16 Block 52 fighters FMS $699 million Lapsed

    The State Department approved the possible sale of eight F-16 Block 52 fighters for about $699 million. Senator Bob Corker blocked US financing for it, Pakistan was told in May 2016 that it would have to pay the full cost, and the sale lapsed.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $699 millionEstimated cost, about $699 million.
    Status
    Lapsed

    On The Long Arc The F-16 deal that Congress would not pay for

    Sources

    1. Government of Pakistan – F-16 Block 52 Aircraft. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 2016-02-11. Official
    2. Pakistan F-16 sale survives US Senate dogfight. Defense News, 2016-03-10. Press
    3. US Pakistan F-16 loan (RFE/RL Gandhara). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2016-05. Press
  14. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 15-80 FMS $699 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 15-80) for a proposed sale to The Government of Pakistan, with an estimated value of $699.04 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $699 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($699.04 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 15-80
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 15-80). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2016-03-04. Primary document
  15. Two former US Coast Guard 110-foot patrol boats EDA Not stated Delivered

    The US Coast Guard transferred the former cutters Key Biscayne and Grand Isle to the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency through the Excess Defense Articles programme, making Pakistan the second nation to receive the 110-foot patrol boats.

    Type
    Excess Defense Articles
    Stated value
    Not stated in the sources
    Status
    Delivered

    Sources

    1. Cutter boats transferred (Coast Guard news, December 2016). US Coast Guard (DCMS), 2016-12-13. Official
    2. Excess Defense Articles. US Coast Guard, Office of International Acquisition. Official
  16. Technical Security Team support for the F-16 programme Support $125 million Notified

    Days after Prime Minister Imran Khan's White House visit, the State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of a Technical Security Team, US government and contractor technical and logistics support, for Pakistan's F-16 programme, estimated at $125 million. It provided for 60 contractor representatives in Pakistan and round-the-clock end-use monitoring.

    Type
    Sustainment and support
    Stated value
    $125 millionEstimated cost.
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    On The Long Arc Imran Khan at the White House

    Sources

    1. US approves $125 mln technical support program for Pakistan’s F-16s fleet. Associated Press of Pakistan, 2019-07. Press
    2. US Approves Sale of F-16 Programme Support to Pakistan in Wake of Trump-Khan Talks. GlobalSecurity.org (Sputnik), 2019-07-27. Press
    3. US approves $125m of technical, logistics support for F-16 program. ARY News, 2019-07. Press
  17. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 19-29 FMS $125 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 19-29) for a proposed sale to Government of Pakistan, with an estimated value of $125 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $125 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($125 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 19-29
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 19-29). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2019-12-23. Primary document
  18. F-16 case for sustainment Support $450 million Notified

    The State Department approved a possible $450 million sale to sustain Pakistan's F-16 fleet, consolidating earlier support cases. It included no new aircraft, weapons or munitions.

    Type
    Sustainment and support
    Stated value
    $450 millionEstimated cost.
    Transmittal
    No. 22-07
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    On The Long Arc A $450 million F-16 sustainment package

    Sources

    1. DSCA press release Pakistan 22-07 CN. US Department of Defense (media.defense.gov), 2022-09-07. Official
    2. Pakistan – F-16 Case for Sustainment (DSCA notification, via GlobalSecurity). Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 2022-09-07. Official
    3. US OKs Pakistan F-16 fleet sustainment deal. The Defense Post, 2022-09-09. Press
  19. AIM-120 AMRAAM: Pakistan listed in a production contract Support Not stated Unclear

    A Department of Defense contract announcement of 6 October 2025 for continued AMRAAM production listed Pakistan among the foreign military sales customers. The US embassy said Pakistan would not receive new missiles and that the work concerned sustainment and spare parts for missiles already delivered.

    Type
    Sustainment and support
    Stated value
    Not stated in the sourcesThe $41.7 million contract modification covers many customers; no share for Pakistan is stated.
    Status
    Status not established

    Sources

    1. Pak likely to get AIM-120 missiles from US: Report. The Tribune (India), 2025-10. Press
    2. Pak likely to receive AIM-120 air-to-air missiles from US: Report. The Week (PTI), 2025-10-07. Press
    3. Pakistan to upgrade its air power with US’ help? Islamabad to receive AIM-120 AMRAAMs from Washington. Business Today, 2025-10-08. Press
  20. Arms sales notification, Transmittal No. 22-08 FMS $686 million Notified

    The Department of Defense published in the Federal Register the text of an arms sales notification to Congress (Transmittal No. 22-08) for a proposed sale to Government of Pakistan, with an estimated value of $686 million.

    Type
    Foreign Military Sale
    Stated value
    $686 millionEstimated value stated in the notification ($686 million); an upper estimate, not what was finally paid.
    Transmittal
    No. 22-08
    Status
    Notified to Congress

    Sources

    1. Arms Sales Notification (Transmittal No. 22-08). Federal Register (Defense Department), 2026-09-22. Primary document

Sources: notifications published by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the Federal Register, Congressional Research Service reports and contemporary reporting, cited line by line. Spotted something to correct? Tell us.