US $450 million F-16 fighter jet aid is not monetary help: State Department

The United States has clarified that its $450 million sustainment and related equipment program to support Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets is part of a contract between the two nations and does not represent ‘monetary’ help.

Zed Tarar, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated while talking to the Indian news organization ANI.

Zed Tarar stated, "These are 30-year-old aircraft," on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia. Spare part-provision was covered by the same contract, and the US "keeps a close watch on terrorists."

US Approves possible sale of F16 to Pakistan:

It may be recalled that in September, the Biden administration approved the F-16 package for Pak (reversing an existing ban to do so) after the State Department argued the money would help improve Islamabad meet terror-related threats by maintaining its fighter jet fleet combat ready.