Pakistan is among several nations set to benefit from a $488 million contract awarded by the United States Air Force to Northrop Grumman for engineering and technical support of F-16 radar systems. The agreement falls under the Foreign Military Sales programme and aims to enhance operational readiness across partner fleets.
The contract specifically covers support for APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems, which are widely used in F-16 fighter jets operated by multiple countries. Work on the project will take place in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is scheduled to continue through March 2036, reflecting a long-term commitment to maintaining advanced radar capabilities.
Read more : US approves $488 million F-16 radar support contract for Pakistan
In addition to Pakistan, the programme includes a wide group of partner countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Thailand, and Turkiye. This broad participation highlights the United States’ strategy to strengthen defense cooperation and ensure interoperability among allied and partner air forces.
Furthermore, the contract has been managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which serves as the contracting authority. The agreement was officially awarded on April 27, 2026, marking another step in ongoing defence collaboration between Washington and its international partners.
Read more : US $686M package to keep Pakistan’s F-16s combat-ready until 2040
This development follows an earlier approval by the United States in December 2025 of a separate $686 million package aimed at supporting Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. That package included advanced systems such as Link-16 data links, secure communication tools, avionics upgrades, training programmes, and logistical assistance.
Officials have stated that these upgrades are designed to modernise Pakistan’s F-16 Block-52 and Mid-Life Upgrade aircraft, improving safety and operational effectiveness. At the same time, the initiative supports broader strategic goals by helping partner forces address evolving security challenges and maintain coordination in joint operations.