Pakistan among recipients of $488m US F-16 radar assistance contract

The US Air Force has given Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation a $488 million contract to provide engineering and technical support for F-16 radar systems under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, with Pakistan among the recipients.

The deal includes engineering and technical assistance for the APG-66 and APG-68 radars.” Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is projected to be complete by March 31, 2036.

The deal includes FMS program services to several nations, to include Bahrain; Belgium; Chile; Denmark; Egypt; Greece; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Korea; Morocco; the Netherlands; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Thailand and Turkiye.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting authority for this effort. The contract was awarded on 27 April 2026.

The move follows months after the United States approved a $686 million sale of advanced technologies and support services for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet force in December 2025.

The package, which the Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified to Congress on December 8, includes Link-16 data link systems, secure communications equipment, avionics modifications, training and considerable logistical support.

The agency claimed the move is part of Washington’s broader strategic goals and will “support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.”

The sale will assist Pakistan retain interoperability with US and partner troops for continued counterterrorism operations and potential future operations, it said.

The notification said the upgrades were meant to update Pakistan’s Block-52 and Mid-Life Upgrade F-16s and meet operational safety criteria.

It further said the deal would enhance Pakistan’s ability to meet current and future threats by updating and enhancing its Block-52 and Mid-Life Upgrade F-16 aircraft.