U.S. Restrictions Limit Pakistan’s Use of F-16s Against Indian Fighter Jets
Despite operating a sizable fleet of 75 F-16 fighter jets, Pakistan is unable to deploy them against India due to strict restrictions outlined in its defense agreements with the United States.
On May 7, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told parliament that Chinese-made J-10C fighters had "shot down three Indian Rafale jets and other aircraft" during a skirmish earlier that morning. Indian authorities later recovered debris from a large air-to-air missile in Punjab state and identified it as the Chinese-made PL-15E, a long-range missile with a 145-kilometer range compatible only with Pakistan’s J-10C and JF-17 fighters.
Military analysts say the evidence suggests Pakistan limited its engagement to Chinese aircraft, despite owning 85 U.S.-made F-16s — 75 of which are currently in service. The decision reflects longstanding restrictions imposed by Washington when the U.S. first delivered F-16s to Pakistan in January 1983. These limitations cover not only the jets’ deployment locations but also prohibit their use against Indian forces or in offensive cross-border operations.
Pakistan’s F-16 fleet is based primarily at Shahbaz and Mushaf airbases in central Pakistan, with a smaller number of older Block 15 models permitted at Bholari airbase in the south. These locations were designated under U.S. agreements to allow constant oversight and prevent integration with non-U.S. aircraft. The goal is to safeguard sensitive U.S. technologies onboard the F-16, including its advanced avionics, from exposure to third parties.
To enforce compliance, the U.S. maintains Technical Security Teams (TSTs) at these bases. Each team includes 30 to 60 U.S. Air Force personnel and civilian contractors who monitor F-16 usage around the clock. Their primary mission is to ensure the aircraft are used solely for counterterrorism and internal security—not regional conflict, particularly against India.
Pakistan’s AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, the primary air-to-air weapon for its F-16s, are stored in high-security bunkers at Mushaf Airbase. Access and deployment of these missiles are tightly controlled under the same oversight regime. Any movement, training, or foreign deployment involving F-16s requires advance notification and approval from Washington, significantly limiting operational flexibility.
Maintenance for Pakistan’s older F-16A/B models is conducted in Turkey, a NATO member, to further secure American defense technologies. Islamabad also relies on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to procure parts and technical support, reinforcing Pakistan’s dependence on Washington to keep its F-16 fleet combat-ready.
However, the effectiveness of this tight oversight was questioned after a February 2019 air battle in which a Pakistani F-16 allegedly shot down an Indian MiG-21 Bison. Debris from an AIM-120C-5 missile—used exclusively by F-16s—was found on Indian soil, suggesting that Pakistan may have deployed the jets outside approved zones.
A leaked letter from August 2019 revealed that Andrea Thompson, then U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, warned Pakistan’s air force leadership that violations of this kind threatened to compromise sensitive technologies and harm mutual security interests.
In 2024, the U.S. approved a $397 million FMS budget package that included continued funding for the TST presence in Pakistan. American officials have emphasized that such measures are necessary to prevent a repeat of the 2019 incident and to ensure compliance with agreed terms.
These policies align with broader U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region, where India is seen as a key strategic partner. By restricting the use of American-made jets in Pakistan’s conflicts with India, Washington aims to preserve regional balance and prevent escalation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is facing growing financial strain, leading to delayed payments under the FMS program. This has raised concerns about the readiness of its F-16 fleet and could push Islamabad to rely more heavily on Chinese-made fighters like the J-10C and JF-17, which are not subject to the same operational restrictions.
(Sources: AFP, AP, IDRW)
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