US arms sale to Pak crosses $4.5 bn, report hints India may be target

A report prepared by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) says while bulk of purchases were made by Pakistan using its national funds, the country was also provided equipment worth $1.6 billion under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) scheme that was meant primarily for counter-terrorism efforts.

However, analysts say that a look at the weapons purchased by Pakistan post-2001 under FMF clearly show that they are meant for a conventional role against India. The latest CRS report lists major FMF purchases like maritime patrol aircraft, surveillance radars and anti tank missiles that have no role in counter-terrorism operations.

Arms purchased by Pakistan under FMF include:

• 5,250 TOW anti-armor missiles ($186 million)

• 5,600 military radio sets ($163 million)

• Six AN/TPS-77 surveillance radars ($100 million, all delivered and in operation)

• Six C-130E transport aircraft (76 million, all delivered and in operation)

• 20 AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters (48 million, 12 delivered, 8 pending)

Similarly, supplies bought with a “mix of Pakistani national funds and FMF” include upgrades for its F 16 fighters and artillery guns that can be deployed in mountains and hilly areas.

• 60 mid-life update kits for F-16A/B combat aircraft (valued at $891 million, with $108 million as FMF)

• 115 M-109 self-propelled howitzers ($87 million, FMF of $53 million)

This list does not include the 26 Bell 412 helicopters worth $ 235 that Pakistan received under the Coalition Support Funds that are part of Pentagon’s internal budget. Other notable purchases listed in the report include the $ 1.43 billion deal for 18 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 combat aircraft that have been “paid for entirely with Pakistani national funds”.

The deal includes 500 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, 1,450 2,000-pound bombs, 500 JDAM bomb tail kits and 1,600 Enhanced Paveway laser-guided bomb kits.