Lockheed Martin has been named principal contractor on Pakistan’s newly approved $686 million foreign military sale request for F-16 hardware, software and sustainment support.
According to an arms sales notification from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency published on Congress.gov on Monday, the proposed sale is intended to extend the service life of Pakistan’s Block-52 and midlife-upgrade aircraft and preserve interoperability with U.S. and partner forces through 2040.
DSCA stated that major defense equipment accounts for $37 million of the total value, with the remaining $649 million covering a broad range of sustainment and modernization services.
What Capabilities Are Included in the Proposed F-16 Upgrade Package?
The potential sale will provide 92 Link-16 tactical data link systems and six inert Mk-82 500-pound bomb bodies for integration and testing. Additional elements include avionics updates, secure communications and navigation equipment, cryptographic devices, mission planning tools, software and hardware modifications, training systems, munitions testing and reprogramming equipment, and associated spares.
Sensitive components identified in the package include Mode 5 identification friend-or-foe systems, handheld key loaders and reprogramming equipment for munitions built-in-test functions. Some requested items are classified as secret.
Pakistan’s request for F-16 upgrades dates back to 2021, although U.S. consideration of the proposal stalled during a period of diplomatic strain, Asia News Network reported. In the intervening years, Pakistan has reduced its reliance on the F-16 by fielding and co-developing additional aircraft, which demonstrated significant operational impact during the May 2025 air conflict with India.
