Pakistan puts off signing F-16 deal with US
Pti, Islamabad
Pakistan has put off signing the letter of acceptance (LOA) for purchase of 36 F-16 fighters from the US after complaints from its air force that the planes were "bereft" of vital electronic warfare systems.After the complaints, Pakistan's Ministry of Defence asked the US Secretary of Air Force International Affairs, (Saifa), which is the coordinator and supervisor for the project, to extend the signing of LOA until December 31, Pakistani weekly Friday Times reported. The last extension was sought on July 31 this year. The deal was apparently deferred partly due to conditions imposed by the US on the operations of F-16s and the "absence" of vital electronic capabilities from these platforms. Musharraf was expected to take up these issues when he meets President George W Bush in Washington on Friday.
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