Report: US Transfers Combat Aircrafts, Trainer Jets, Armored Carriers to Pakistan

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The United States transferred weapons to Pakistan that were used by American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, including 14 combat aircrafts, 59 military trainer jets, and 374 armored personnel carriers, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Pakistan has also been able to purchase other military equipment with U.S.-taxpayer funds.

“As the U.S. withdraws its forces from neighboring Afghanistan, the major defense articles have been transferred to Pakistan under its ‘Excessive Defense Article’ category,” reported The Economic Times in India, quoting CRS, an independent research arm of Congress.

The Pentagon accused Pakistan in October 2014 of providing sanctuary to terrorists fighting U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Taliban terrorists maintain a presence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which has been the deadliest region for U.S. military forces fighting in the Afghan war.

U.S.-Pakistan relations were aggravated after Navy SEALs killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in his hideout in Pakistan without coordinating with Pakistani officials.

The U.S. is also known to carry out drone strikes in Pakistan without Islamabad’s blessing.

In the past, India has been opposed to the transfer of weapons to Pakistan, as it believes Islamabad would eventually use the arms against it, noted The Economic Times.

The CRS reportedly revealed that “Pakistan has either made full payment or will make payments from its national funds towards the purchase of 18 new F-16C/D Block 52 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft worth $1.43 billion.”

That purchase includes “F-16 armaments including 500 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles; 1,450 2,000-pound bombs; 500 JDAM Tail Kits for gravity bombs; and 1,600 Enhanced Paveway laser-guided kits” at a cost of $629 million, according to The Economic Times.

Last month, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the State Department had approved a possible $952 million sale to Pakistan of 15 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, 32 General Electric helicopter engines, 1,000 Hellfire missiles, and associated equipment, parts, training, and logistical support.

The Economic Times also pointed out that Pakistan has purchased “100 harpoon anti-ship missiles, 500 sidewinder air-to-air missiles ($95 million); and seven Phalanx Close-In Weapons System naval guns ($80 million)” for $298 million.

Moreover, the Pentagon gave Pakistan $235 million worth of military equipment under Coalition Support Funds, including 26 Bell 412EP utility helicopters, along with related parts and maintenance.

Pakistan has purchased other military supplies with a mix of its national funds and U.S. taxpayer-funded foreign military aid.

That equipment includes “60 Mid-Life Update kits for F-16A/B combat aircraft” valued at $891 million, with $477 million of that provided by U.S. foreign military funding (FMF).

Pakistan also bought “115 M-109 self-propelled howitzers” for $87 million, with $53 million in FMF.

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