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By Asim Qadeer Rana
Islamabad, Dec 23: With the Trump administration set to take reins of the United States by coming January 20th, the unhealthy bilateral lead “is likely halting of Pakistan’s F-16 jets spare parts support initiated during outgoing President Biden’s tenure,” PrideNews has learnt on Sunday.
This would be second US defence tirade against Pakistan. US had already placed watermarks on Pakistan’s missile programme meant for minimum deterrence.
Informed diplomatic sources confided to PrideNews on Sunday evening that President elect Donald J Trump would be tougher, more aggressive towards Pakistan, and likely to tightened Pakistan’s multiple financial, and defence support channels including its grants in aid inject, besides blocking F-16 spare parts supply.
“It will be tough for defence team here in Islamabad to negotiate further in future with Washington, because you (Pakistan) are more inclined towards Russia, and China,” a western diplomat noted while speaking to this scribe.
“The resonance of Washington’s changed diplomatic mood is reflective — negative and strenuous, since it (US) came harder on Islamabad’s large scale missile battery programme reaching US borders,” said the lead diplomatic official.
The US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer remarked in a recent statement that Islamabad’s conduct raised “real questions about the aims of its ballistic missile programme.”
However, Islamabad has already rejected US concerns on its missile programme declaring that the US move as “unfortunate and biased.” The Pakistan’s Forigen ministry statement said “Islamabad’s defense capabilities are aimed at safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and preserving peace in South Asia.”
“The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries,” added Ministry of Forigen Affairs in Islamabad.
Halting F-16 Jet Support:
Though in September 2022, the US State Department approved the sale of up to $450 million in F-16 aircraft sustainment equipment, and related equipment to Pakistan.
The sale was aimed to improve Pakistan’s F-16s’ jets air-to-ground capabilities. The US Lockheed Martin Corporation was the principal contractor for the deal.
“Islamabad should, and must review what its doing on ground specifically its recent practical inclusion of moving towards Russia, and a never ending defence trajectory with China,”remarked the diplomat.
“What we see a likely halt of F-16 jet spare parts support by President elect Donald J. Trump administration because of Islamabad’s aggressive defence capabilities that threatens US strongest ally in this region (India),” insisted the diplomatic official.
This follow-on support F-16 jets deal had also involved Pakistan’s participation in several programmes and technical coordination groups.
It includes the F-16 Aircraft Structural Integrity, International Engine Management, Electronic Combat International Security Assistance and Engine Component Improvement programmes.
The support services included in the Jet support programme “are accessories and support equipment, aircraft and engine spare repair/return parts, aircraft and engine hardware and software modifications/support, classified and unclassified software, software support and other associated elements of F-16 maintenance and programme support.”
It is worth noting that President elect Trump’s administration, in its last stint during year 2018 clamped Pakistan’s complete defence support.
President Trump in one his tweets in year January 2018, had also accused Islamabad of taking billions of dollars in aid, and in return giving “nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.”
“We are exceptionally observant of Islamabad’s action on almost every front,” noted the western diplomat.
Meanwhile, a senior Pakistan government official when questioned over additional defence restrictions on Islamabad from US, he remarked: “We are hopeful of healthy, and productive bilateral relations believing our positive, and historical partnership with Washington.”
Asked about impending poor relations with the US, he maintained: “We might change our ambassador in Washington with a political one, or might be from military background since discussions were already in progress on the matter knowing that India is aggressive against us in Capitol Hill, and we need to act quick.”
To a question about US F-16 Forigen Military Sustenance (FMS) programme to Pakistan, the official noted: “At least the FMS programme of the US is continuing till date for us (Pakistan) even as of today, and we are resolutely pursuing our counter terrorism targets through this assistance programme which is broadly also helpful for Washington.”
“I just don’t want to comment on possibilities of closure of FMS until it happens,” he said, adding: “Let’s be positive since US, and Pakistan have long standing friendship history.”
The official did not comment on a likely fall back of closure of the US FMS, and also refused to comment on productive utility of the F-16 jet aid programme to Pakistan when asked about precise counter terrorism utility it had endured to date.
About the Writer:
The Writer is Editor of PrideNews, writing on strategic international, and local political issues. He can be reached though email:
ranaasim15@gmail.com
ENDS.
