US Awards $488M F-16 Radar Upgrade Contract Involving Pakistan

The United States Air Force has awarded a massive $488 million F-16 radar upgrade contract. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp secured this deal today to provide long-term engineering and technical support. Consequently, Pakistan joins 20 other partner nations benefiting from this agreement.

The US Air Force Lifecycle Management Centre in Utah issued this award on a sole-source basis. Northrop Grumman will specifically support the APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems. These systems power the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. The contractor will carry out the work in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. Furthermore, the contract extends through March 31, 2036. Officials obligated an initial $2.64 million from fiscal 2026 non-appropriated Air Force and Navy funds at the time of the award.

The US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme facilitates this support. Besides Pakistan, the list includes Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Thailand, and Turkiye.

This recent development directly follows a separate US notification from December 2025. Back then, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) proposed a $686 million package. Lockheed Martin served as the principal contractor for that specific initiative. That package aimed to overhaul Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. It included Link-16 tactical data systems, cryptographic equipment, and avionics upgrades. Additionally, it covered simulators, operational flight programme modifications, and secure communications equipment.

Ultimately, the DSCA wants to modernise the fleet and extend its service life through 2040. The agency noted that Pakistan easily demonstrated the capacity to absorb these upgrades. Moreover, officials confirmed this programme requires no additional US personnel deployments to Pakistan. It will also have no adverse impact on US defence readiness.

Pakistan has openly welcomed this continued US support. A diplomatic source confirmed these upgrades will significantly extend the operational life of the aircraft. Meanwhile, they ensure technical compatibility with allied systems. Over recent years, the Pakistan Air Force actively diversified its fleet. Therefore, the military relies less on a single platform. Nevertheless, Pakistan still highly values the sustainment of its existing F-16 capabilities. Ultimately, this new contract highlights ongoing US engagement in regional interoperability and counterterrorism cooperation.

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