Pakistan's US-Made F-16 Fleet and Sustainment
Overview
Pakistan's F-16s remain the main US-origin combat system in its arsenal and depend on US support. In late 2025 Washington notified a proposed $686 million F-16 upgrade and support package and added Pakistan to an AIM-120 missile contract, which US officials said covered sustainment of existing stocks, not new missiles.
Latest updates
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a proposed $686 million sale to upgrade and support Pakistan's F-16s, including Link-16, cryptographic and avionics equipment
(Aaj News)
A US Air Force AIM-120 contract modification listed Pakistan among buyers; on 10 October US officials said it covered sustainment of Pakistan's existing AIM-120C5 stocks, not…
A US Air Force AIM-120 contract modification listed Pakistan among buyers; on 10 October US officials said it covered sustainment of Pakistan's existing AIM-120C5 stocks, not deliveries of new missiles. (Janes)
Positions on the record
Washington says
The US administration said that, contrary to 'false media reports', no part of the AIM-120 contract modification was for deliveries of new AMRAAMs to Pakistan.
Quoted or summarised from the linked public statements only.
Recent developments
Sustainment packages are a barometer of the defence relationship and are closely watched by India and Congress. They also raise end-use and transparency questions, as shown by the US clarification on the AMRAAM contract.
Recommended resources
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Pakistan's AIM-120 stocks to receive sustainment, says US
via Janes
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US approves $686 million F-16 upgrade package for PAF
11 December 2025
via Aaj News
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False media reports: US Embassy says it isn't delivering new AMRAAM to Pakistan
via The Wire
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Federal Register public inspection document 2026-00529
via Federal Register
