Bush: U.S. to Sell F-16s to Pakistan

Bush: U.S. to Sell F-16s to Pakistan

Reversal, Decried by India, Is Coupled With Fighter-Jet Promise to New Delhi

By Peter Baker

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 26, 2005; Page A01

CRAWFORD, Tex., March 25 -- President Bush rewarded a key ally in the war on terrorism Friday by authorizing the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, a move that reversed 15 years of policy begun under his father and that India warned would destabilize the volatile region.

Pakistan initially wants to buy about two dozen aircraft, but Bush administration officials said there would be no limits on how many it could eventually purchase. The administration tried to balance the sale by announcing simultaneously that it would allow U.S. firms the right to provide India the next generation of sophisticated, multirole combat aircraft, including upgraded F-16 and F-18 warplanes, as well as develop broader cooperation in military command and control, early-warning detection, and missile defense systems.

Bush called Singh to explain the decision Friday morning from his ranch here, where he is taking an Easter break, aides said. Indian press accounts took note of the U.S. agreement to allow New Delhi to bid for licenses for joint production of state-of-the-art military equipment, calling it the concession paid in exchange for the fighter sale to Pakistan.