WASHINGTON (The Thursday Times) — The United States has awarded a new $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman for engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems, with Pakistan listed among the countries covered under the programme. The award comes months after a separate package linked to Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, indicating continued technical cooperation between Washington and Islamabad.
According to contract details, the package covers support for APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems used by multiple F-16 operators. Work is scheduled to continue through March 2036, reflecting a long-term maintenance and sustainment programme rather than a short-term arrangement.
Pakistan has operated the F-16 for decades, with the aircraft remaining one of the Pakistan Air Force’s key multi-role platforms. The fleet has been used for air defence, training and counterterrorism operations, while also serving as an important part of the country’s wider combat aviation capability.
The latest contract follows a separate US approval in late 2025 for a proposed $686 million package related to Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. That earlier proposal reportedly included tactical communications systems, avionics support, training equipment, software upgrades, logistics assistance and sustainment services.
US officials have historically described such packages as maintenance and sustainment measures intended to ensure aircraft safety, operational readiness and interoperability with existing systems. Washington has also maintained that these arrangements do not alter the broader military balance in South Asia.
For Pakistan, continued support helps maintain an existing fleet that remains operationally significant alongside newer aircraft in service. For the United States, the contract continues long-standing defence support channels with F-16 partner nations.
