US F-16 fighter jets bound for Pakistan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US has agreed to resume sales of nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, as an explicit reward for General Pervez Musharraf's support in the war on terror, reversing a decades-old arms embargo.
The US has agreed to resume sales of nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, as an explicit reward for General Pervez Musharraf's support in the war on terror, reversing a decades-old arms embargo.
The decision infuriated India, Pakistan's neighbour and nuclear rival. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his "great disappointment" over the sale when President George Bush called him yesterday to explain the move, a spokesman in New Delhi said.
In an attempt to ensure that the strategic balance in south Asia is not upset, Washington is indicating that it will sell the sophisticated F-16 fighters to India as well.
A spokesman for the Bush administration said: "The sale of F-16s will not change the overall balance of military power in the region and is vital to Pakistan's security as President Musharraf prosecutes the war on terror."
The original F-16 sale dates back to the 1980s, when Washington was broadly aligned with Pakistan in its regional dispute with India, then backed by the Soviet Union.
But even though Pakistan had paid for the planes in advance, the US suspended the deal as part of an arms embargo imposed when Washington established that its ally was pursuing nuclear weapons.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments