AIRCRAFT OF PAKISTAN AIR FORCE

 GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16A/D FIGHTING FALCON

(1983 till date)

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight, day time fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. The F-16's versatility is a paramount reason it has proven a success on the export market, having been selected to serve in the air forces of 25 nations. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976. Though no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers.

The Fighting Falcon is a dog fighter with numerous innovations including a frameless, bubble canopy for better visibility, side mounted control stick to ease control while under high g-forces, and reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. It was also the first fighter aircraft deliberately built to sustain 9-g turns. It has a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one, providing power to climb and accelerate vertically—if necessary.

Letter of agreement for up to 28 F-16A and 12 F-16B was signed in December 1981 All Block 15 models are powered by F100-PW-200. First F-16 aircraft was accepted at Fort Worth in October 1982. 2 F-16A and 4 F-16B were delivered to Pakistan Air force in 1983, first F-16 arrived at Sargodha Airbase on 15 January 1983. 34 aircraft were delivered between 1983 and 1987. Of 28 F-16A/B embargoed in 1990, 14 were delivered as EDA (Excess Defence Articles) from 2005 to 2008. 2 delivered on 10 July 2007.

9 attrition losses: 3 in late 1980s, 5 in early 1990s, 1 in 2009.

4 F-16A/B being upgraded in the U.S. to F-16AM/BM, delivery expected December 2011. F-16A/B in Pakistan Air Force service to be upgraded starting October 2010 by Turkish Aerospace Industries, @ 1 per month.

Contract for 12 F-16C and 6 F-16D Block 52+ (Advanced Block 52), powered by F100-PW-299, signed on 30 September 2006. First aircraft (F-16D) rolled out on 13 October 2009, First batch of 8
F-16C/D will be delivered by June 2010, and delivery of all 18 aircraft will be completed by December 2010.

F-16s are armed with 1× 20mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan Gatling gun. 7700 kg combat load can be carried on 11 hard points (3 × under fuselage, 6 × under wing and 2 x wing tip rails). Combat load consist a combination of rockets, air to air / air to ground / anti ship missiles, guided / non guided bombs, sensor pods and drop tanks.