ISLAMABAD: The United States has entered into a long-term agreement to sustain key radar systems of F-16 fighter jets operated by partner countries, including Pakistan, under a multi-million dollar contract announced this week.
The contract, valued at up to $488 million, has been awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for engineering and technical services related to airborne radar units, according to a notice issued by the Department of War.
The firm will also provide continued support for APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems installed on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the most widely used combat aircraft among US allies.
Unlike a direct country-specific sale, the agreement is structured as an umbrella support arrangement under the Foreign Military Sales program, enabling more than 20 nations, including Pakistan, to access technical assistance and system upgrades over the next decade.
Work under the contract will be conducted in Maryland and is expected to run until the end of March 2036, reflecting the long service horizon of F-16 fleets still active worldwide.
The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, which handled the procurement, confirmed the contract was issued on a sole-source basis, with a small initial funding tranche released at the time of award.
For Pakistan, the development signals continuity rather than a new acquisition, as the country remains among long-time operators of US-built F-16s. The aircraft continues to form a key part of its aerial capability, even as the fleet has gradually diversified in recent years.
The radar support contract comes months after the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US lawmakers of a separate, broader plan to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, estimated at $686 million.
That proposed package, led by Lockheed Martin, focuses on avionics modernisation, secure communications, and data-link integration to improve coordination with allied forces, particularly in counterterrorism settings.
US officials at the time said the upgrade plan would extend the aircraft’s operational lifespan into the next decade without requiring additional American deployment on the ground.
Together, the two developments highlight a maintenance-first approach in US defense cooperation with Pakistan — prioritizing sustainment, compatibility, and gradual upgrades over major platform expansion.
