US awards $488 million F-16 radar support contract, Pakistan among beneficiaries

The United States Air Force has awarded a $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman for long-term engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems, with Pakistan among the countries covered under the programme, Dawn reported. 

According to an official award notice, the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will support APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems installed on F-16 aircraft. The work will be carried out in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is scheduled to continue through March 31, 2036.

The contract has been issued under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and includes support for multiple partner countries, including Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Thailand and Turkiye.

The award was granted on a sole-source basis by the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre in Utah. At the time of the award, $2.64 million in fiscal 2026 non-appropriated Air Force and Navy funds had been obligated.

The development follows a separate notification in December 2025 by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency to the US Congress regarding a proposed $686 million package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

The proposed upgrade includes Link-16 tactical data systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics enhancements, training and logistical support. It also covers updates to operational flight programmes, identification friend-or-foe systems, navigation tools, secure communications equipment, simulators and technical documentation.

Lockheed Martin has been identified as the principal contractor for the upgrade programme, which is aimed at modernising Pakistan’s F-16 fleet and extending its service life to 2040.

US officials have said the programme would not require additional personnel deployment to Pakistan and would not affect US defence readiness.

Officials familiar with the matter said Pakistan has welcomed continued US support, noting that the upgrades will help maintain operational capability and interoperability with partner forces.

They added that while Pakistan has diversified its air fleet in recent years, it continues to prioritise sustainment and upgrades of its existing F-16 platforms.

The radar support contract and the proposed upgrade package reflect continued US engagement in maintaining F-16 operations among allied and partner countries under the FMS framework.