Lockheed unveils the PAF’s first F-16D Block 52 aircraft
Lockheed Martin unveiled the first of 18 new F-16s being produced for Pakistan in ceremonies today at its Fort Worth, Texas, facility.
Officials including the Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. and Pakistan Air Forces were on hand to witness the event.
Air Chief Marshal Rao Quamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), accepted the first F-16 Block 52 aircraft on behalf of his nation. Also present were Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, and other senior officials.
The U.S. government was represented by Rep. Kay Granger, Texas 12th District, and Gen. Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“Peace Drive is the flagship of modernization for Pakistan’s Air Force. It is the latest configuration of the best 4th generation multirole fighter available in the world today,” said John Larson, vice president of F-16 programs for Lockheed Martin.
The aircraft order is designated as “Peace Drive I,” continuing a long tradition of naming F-16 international sales programs with the word Peace. The program raises the total number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the Block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982. Pakistan has been operating Lockheed Martin aircraft since 1963, when it received C-130B airlifters.
The Peace Drive I order is for 12 F-16Cs and six F-16Ds, all powered by the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. The first aircraft – a two-seat F-16D model – will be delivered to the U.S. government (as agent for Pakistan in the Foreign Military Sales process) in December, with the remainder following in 2010.
The F-16 is the choice of 25 nations. More than 4,400 aircraft have been delivered worldwide from assembly lines in five countries. The F-16 program has been characterized by unprecedented international cooperation among governments, air forces and aerospace industries. Major upgrades to all F-16 versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully supportable over the aircraft’s long service life.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
F-16 is a registered trademark of Lockheed Martin Corp.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Press Release
65 Comments
As long as Muslims remain reliant on Non Muslims for their defense needs, they will continue to be humiliated in the way that is happening today. Best thing that Pakistan should do is to receive these F16Ds for which the poor citizens of the nation has paid for and reverse engineer them to produce their own fighter jets.
The hell with copy rights.
But for all that to happen, we need a government that CARES about Islam and Muslims and has a clear vision. This wont happen when we have a fool like Mr 10 Percent ruling us.
kya indains ka pas jazba jahaad hai… no dear wo pakistani he the jo 1971 ma india sy jang jeety thy …… aur tab bhi india isi tarha great power hony ka dawa karta tha….. jang hathyaar ka sath sath jazby aur jihaad sy jiti jati hai…… na ka khali hathyaaroon sy……
mr 10 is zardari na?????
No Bad news for any of Pakistans enemy …that funny who thinks F-16D are in real competition to More advance Aircrafts that Enemy gonna have in Future..These are toys from Uncle Sam to follow him Crisis against China.Lolz
Thats Too good ..
I agree …There are so many People out here who says USA as Murdabad ..and on the other hand gets happy when get any thing from them .
This is made my Pakistani, khud banake khud ka hi dil bahlate ho Miya ..
Munna Nind se Jago …Subah Ho gayi …Bachpan main Story suni thi kya yeh …get up …!!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha …joke of the Millenium …Beta get to the 1st standerd to correct History ..Kyun Tumari Govt ne ab tak JHUT bolte aayi hain tumse …Poor Pakistanis …As Usual Paksitan Govt kabhi Sach nahi bolegi ….
Rakesh Sahb ap Indianxxx ko ek Rishta dy k abi tk gheirt ni i kya ????? Pakistan ka ek ek bacha tum indianx k 6,6 logon p bhari hy r ye history gawah hy.mr. sach r jhot ka samna jang m hota hy na k tumary is trh behooda joks pr and we all pakistani’s will fuckkkkkkkkkk u n our all enms r usko jo PAKISTAN ki trf buri nzr daley ga …… :’)
i am a new member.i dont understand hindi?urdu.pls use english to me
the f-16s are surely a right step for paks.in a few years time they should attain self reliance ie they must be able to make their own jets.the indians are surely ahead of the paks in this aspect.i think the paks must obtain a TOT(transfer of technology) and start license building their own jets.indians have already obtained a lot experince in this way.it is really helping them with the lca,dhruv etc.
hats of to paks
hats of to indies
i think pakistani getting mad bcz they dont know war r win by money not with fighter plane hehehe… aur raha Money ka sawal so paskistan ki lagi padi hai yaar , jaha Aemrica ka haath aata waha pakisath gira so dont play F-16 F-16 , India tumse kafi aage nikal juga hai
dear u r living in a world of fools! don’t compare numbers in war! compare technology, skills and passion! compare MM ALAM, what?? don’t know him? o dear!! go and ask from your any air fighter about his nightmare! haha
Gift???? US Jerks are doing business, selling weapons, triggering conflict and selling more.
hey, the difference between your comparison and ours is that you compare aircrafts capabilities, while we consider capabilities of the pilots too, having said that, i repeat with a little addition, it will counter “Indian” su30mki, yes it will.