US Strengthens Oversight on Pakistan's F-16 Fleet with $397 Million Deal to Prevent Misuse Against India
The United States is reinforcing its grip on Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets through a newly approved $397 million agreement, a move aimed at ensuring the aircraft are used strictly for counterterrorism operations and not against any other nation, particularly India. This decision, finalized in February 2025, underscores Washington’s strategic intent to maintain tight control over the advanced American-built jets in Pakistan’s arsenal.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has long relied on F-16s as a key component of its air defense, but their operation has always been subject to stringent US-imposed restrictions. These include limitations on where the aircraft can be based, how they are maintained, and, most critically, how they are deployed. The latest deal enhances these measures, reinforcing the US presence at key airbases and tightening security protocols.
Pakistan’s F-16s are primarily stationed at two major bases: Shahbaz Airbase in Jacobabad and Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha, chosen to facilitate strict US monitoring. A small number of older models are also housed at Bholari Airbase, but they remain separate from Pakistan’s Chinese-origin JF-17 Thunder fighters. This segregation is an intentional safeguard to prevent American technology from being accessed by China, a growing concern for US defense officials.
A crucial aspect of the agreement is the continued presence of Technical Security Teams (TSTs), composed of US Air Force personnel and defense contractors. These teams, stationed at the designated airbases, work round the clock to ensure that F-16s are operated only for their intended purpose—counterterrorism. The teams are estimated to number between 30 and 60 personnel per base, providing direct surveillance over aircraft movements and missile storage.
To prevent unauthorized use, the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) that equip Pakistan’s F-16s are stored under high security at Mushaf Airbase. Strict protocols, including inventory checks and a "two-man rule" for accessing restricted areas, are in place to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the end-use agreements governing the F-16s require prior US approval for any flights outside Pakistani airspace or joint military exercises with other nations. Even routine maintenance is closely monitored. Upgrades to older F-16 models have historically been conducted in Turkey, a NATO ally, rather than in Pakistan, to prevent potential technology leaks. Pakistan also remains dependent on the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for essential spare parts and technical assistance.
This new $397 million deal builds on previous US oversight measures, including a $450 million sustainment package in 2022 and a $125 million monitoring initiative in 2019. The latest agreement extends the TST program for another five years, ensuring real-time oversight and reinforcing the monitoring framework.
The need for tighter controls gained urgency following the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the aerial dogfight that followed. In response to India’s strike on a terrorist camp inside Pakistan, PAF F-16s were deployed against Indian jets. India claimed to have downed an F-16 and presented AMRAAM missile fragments as proof, raising concerns that Pakistan had violated its agreement with the US by using the jets for conventional warfare rather than counterterrorism. Although Pakistan denied losing an F-16 and insisted it relied on JF-17s in the engagement, reports suggested otherwise.
Leaked US diplomatic communications from 2019 revealed that Washington had privately warned Pakistan about any unauthorized use of its F-16s, emphasizing the risk of exposing sensitive US military technology. This latest $397 million package appears to be a direct response to these concerns, introducing additional measures to prevent another breach of terms.
Notably, the agreement prohibits F-16s from being stationed at bases where JF-17s are present and imposes tighter controls over missile deployments. These restrictions reflect the US's unease over Pakistan’s deepening military ties with China.
The issue remains a contentious one for India. Indian officials have long argued that Pakistan’s F-16s have been used beyond their officially stated counterterrorism role, pointing to incidents like the 2019 aerial confrontation as evidence. Although the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated its ability to counter F-16s, their continued presence near India’s borders remains a strategic concern.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s financial struggles may impact the operational readiness of its F-16 fleet. With increasing economic pressure, Islamabad may be forced to rely more on the JF-17 program, which is jointly developed with China and lacks the advanced capabilities of the F-16.
For now, the US remains determined to ensure that the F-16s it supplies to Pakistan do not compromise regional security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater. With the latest deal, Washington has reinforced its oversight, leaving little room for misuse—at least on paper.
