Pakistan's F-16s come with severe restrictions
Pakistan to get F-16s, but with a difference
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINTON: Pakistan, according to a senior US official, has agreed to an “unprecedented” security plan, including an “enhanced and end-use monitoring programme”, which obliges Islamabad to “comply” with conditions laid down by Washington for F-16-related bases and facilities before the equipment is supplied.
While Pakistan has made no comment on the July 20 testimony of John Hillen, assistant secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in the State Department, before the House International Relations Committee, the conditions Islamabad has accepted would appear to have reduced Pakistan’s ability to use the advanced air defence and assault systems only under given conditions.
Hillen told the House committee, “We, of course, have had a US government security survey of their bases and facilities. We’ve put into the deal that they must comply with the approved security plans for their F-16-related bases and facilities before we’ll release any systems in the sale. We will have a US presence to monitor compliance with the security plan requirements, a very enhanced and end-use monitoring programme. Routine access to F-16 aircraft equipment and munitions is in restricted areas and limited to Pakistan air force personnel that are pre-approved for such. There is a two-man rule, so to speak, for access to this equipment and restricted areas, and F-16 flights outside of Pakistan ... must be approved in advance by the United States government.”
Hillen said he would get into more detail on “this extraordinary security plan” designed to ensure control of “combat unauthorised proliferation we have put into place.”
He added, “We place all sorts of conditionality onto getting arms sales from the United States that protects American security interests and that protects exactly the sort of proliferation problem you alluded to. So I think this (F-16) sale works to exactly the opposite.”
He added, “I think it will give us access and influence in a country and in which we’ll be able to see if there are any dynamics of that sort and be able to be involved in a leadership position, rather than just standing by if this happens.”
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINTON: Pakistan, according to a senior US official, has agreed to an “unprecedented” security plan, including an “enhanced and end-use monitoring programme”, which obliges Islamabad to “comply” with conditions laid down by Washington for F-16-related bases and facilities before the equipment is supplied.
While Pakistan has made no comment on the July 20 testimony of John Hillen, assistant secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in the State Department, before the House International Relations Committee, the conditions Islamabad has accepted would appear to have reduced Pakistan’s ability to use the advanced air defence and assault systems only under given conditions.
Hillen told the House committee, “We, of course, have had a US government security survey of their bases and facilities. We’ve put into the deal that they must comply with the approved security plans for their F-16-related bases and facilities before we’ll release any systems in the sale. We will have a US presence to monitor compliance with the security plan requirements, a very enhanced and end-use monitoring programme. Routine access to F-16 aircraft equipment and munitions is in restricted areas and limited to Pakistan air force personnel that are pre-approved for such. There is a two-man rule, so to speak, for access to this equipment and restricted areas, and F-16 flights outside of Pakistan ... must be approved in advance by the United States government.”
Hillen said he would get into more detail on “this extraordinary security plan” designed to ensure control of “combat unauthorised proliferation we have put into place.”
He added, “We place all sorts of conditionality onto getting arms sales from the United States that protects American security interests and that protects exactly the sort of proliferation problem you alluded to. So I think this (F-16) sale works to exactly the opposite.”
He added, “I think it will give us access and influence in a country and in which we’ll be able to see if there are any dynamics of that sort and be able to be involved in a leadership position, rather than just standing by if this happens.”
posted by India News Watch at 5:37 PM
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