One of the primary clients for Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Multirole Fighters, Pakistan is all set for delivery of 18 new state of the art F-16 fighter aircraft for its air force. At Forth Worth, Texas, Lockheed Martin unveiled the 18 new aircrafts in front of high level officials from both the United States and Pakistan. Air Chief Marshal of Pakistan, Rao Quamar Suleman was presented with the first of the 18 F-16 Block 52 aircraft. Amongst the dignitaries, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani was also present at the ceremony.

According to John Larson (V.P. F-16 Program, Lockheed Martin),

“Peace Drive is the flagship of modernization for Pakistan’s Air Force. It is the latest configuration of the best 4th generation multirole fighter available in the world today.”

There has been a long standing commercial relationship between Lockheed Martina and Pakistan since the year 1963, when Pakistan received its first batch of C-130B Starlifters. Since the initial deal with Lockheed, Pakistan armed forces have been a continuous client for the F-16 fighter aircraft and have 54 operational aircrafts since the year 1982.

The latest contract has been set for the delivery of 12 F-16Cs and six F-16Ds, that are powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine. The first of the F-16 fighter aircrafts, that is a a two-seat F-16D model is slated to be handed over to the U.S government, in December this year and the remaining batch will be delivered by the year 2010. U.S government would then provide these fighter aircrafts to Pakistan, under the Foreign Military Sales program (FMS).

As of now, there are more than 4,400 operational F-16 combat aircrafts operating in the Air Forces of the more than 25 countries, with upgrades and advancements being incorporated continuously in one of the best modern combat aircrafts in the world.

Via Space War.