F-16 Mystery: State Department Won’t Confirm Fate Of Pak’s Jets

NEW DELHI- The US government has declined to provide specific answers regarding the fate of Pakistan Air Force-operated F-16 fighter jets during ‘Operation Sindoor’. The US State Department stated, “We refer you to the Government of Pakistan to discuss its F-16s.”

The US reportedly maintains continuous oversight of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet through US contractors known as Technical Support Teams. These teams are deployed in Pakistan around the clock to monitor the use of US-built F-16s in accordance with detailed end-use agreements signed by Islamabad and Washington, says a NDTV report.

These agreements specify the conditions under which Pakistan may employ the jets in combat and form the foundation for ongoing US support in maintaining the fleet. Consequently, these Technical Support Teams are contractually obligated to be fully aware of the status of all Pakistan-operated F-16s at all times.

The US State Department’s current response contrasts sharply with information provided by US government sources to Foreign Policy Magazine in 2019, following India’s air strikes on the Balakot terror camp. At that time, two senior US defense officials reportedly told Foreign Policy that US personnel had recently accounted for all of Islamabad’s F-16s and found none missing – a statement issued after India claimed to have shot down at least one Pakistan Air Force F-16.

India now believes Pakistan lost several F-16 jets during ‘Operation Sindoor’, either on the ground due to Indian Air Force strikes or in aerial combat.  (IANS)