The Joe Biden Administration has left behind $20 billion military hardware on a platter for the Taliban. American Choppers, Humvees, Jets & rifles are now in the Taliban's hands. Palki Sharma tells you how this is another proof of Biden's unmitigated disaster.

Gravitas: These American weapons are now in Taliban's hands

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on&nbsp;Tuesday scrambled Hawk jets after it identified 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) planes heading towards its airspace.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-shandong-aircraft-carrier-conducts-military-exercise-in-south-china-sea-382412/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“The People’s Liberation Army Air Force(PLAAF) planes were put under continued radar surveillance and were instructed to contact controllers in the Kota Kinabalu FIR," the Malaysian Air Force said.

The jets were scrambled after the Malaysian Air Force detected the Chinese planes over its radar at Sarawak on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

"When these instructions were not heeded and the PLAAF planes crossed Kota Kinabalu FIR and headed towards the national airspace, the Malaysia Air Force scrambled intercepting jets at 1:33 pm to perform a visual identification,” it added.

The Chinese jets were hovering&nbsp;off Malaysia's coast in the South China Sea which has several small islands with overlapping claims by several countries including Brunei, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.&nbsp;

China claims the territory as its own even as the United States on several occasions has sent warships to the South China Sea which has often resulted in a strong reaction from China.

“As a result of the air interception carried out, the RMAF has identified the aircraft as Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 aircraft," it said.

The RMAF said the Chinese aircraft identified by its forces are "strategic transport aircraft" capable of performing various missions.

"This incident is a serious matter that threatens national sovereignty and aviation safety, based on the density of air traffic in the airline routes in Kota Kinabalu FIR," the RMAF asserted.

The Chinese planes eventually did not enter Malayasia's airspace even as it put the Hawk jets on high alert.

(With inputs from Agencies)

 
&nbsp;

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on Tuesday scrambled Hawk jets after it identified 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) planes heading towards its airspace.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) on Tuesday scrambled Hawk jets after it identified 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) planes heading towards its airspace. Watch: “The People’s Liberation Army Air Force(PLAAF) planes were put under continued radar surveillance and were instructed to contact controllers in the Kota Kinabalu FIR," the Malaysian Air Force said. The jets were scrambled after the Malaysian Air Force detected the Chinese planes over its radar at Sarawak on Tuesday morning. "When these instructions were not heeded and the PLAAF planes crossed Kota Kinabalu FIR and headed towards the national airspace, the Malaysia Air Force scrambled intercepting jets at 1:33 pm to perform a visual identification,” it added. The Chinese jets were hovering off Malaysia's coast in the South China Sea which has several small islands with overlapping claims by several countries including Brunei, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam. China claims the territory as its own even as the United States on several occasions has sent warships to the South China Sea which has often resulted in a strong reaction from China. “As a result of the air interception carried out, the RMAF has identified the aircraft as Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 aircraft," it said. The RMAF said the Chinese aircraft identified by its forces are "strategic transport aircraft" capable of performing various missions. "This incident is a serious matter that threatens national sovereignty and aviation safety, based on the density of air traffic in the airline routes in Kota Kinabalu FIR," the RMAF asserted. The Chinese planes eventually did not enter Malayasia's airspace even as it put the Hawk jets on high alert. (With inputs from Agencies)

Malaysia scrambles jets to intercept Chinese planes in South China Sea

Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise.

Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-talks-up-trans-pacific-trade-pact-after-exclusion-from-new-deal-343518">Taiwan talks up trans-Pacific trade pact after exclusion from new deal</a>

This decision, which was announced by the local authorities on Wednesday, has now put more pressure on the limited fleet of the country to warn off the Chinese jets which have increased their activity in the recent few months.

The F16 fighter jet that went missing by being commanded by a 44-year-old pilot. It disappeared from the radar on Tuesday night at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 metres). The jet disappeared merely two minutes after taking off&nbsp;from Hualien air base in eastern Taiwan on the same day.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asian-nations-sign-rcep-a-china-backed-trade-pact-excluding-india-and-us-343226" hreflang="en">Asian nations sign RCEP, a China-backed trade pact, excluding India and US</a>

"The rescue mission is our top priority now. The air force has grounded all F16s for checks and I've instructed an investigation into the cause of the incident," President Tsai Ing-wen said.

This disappearance of the 44-year-old pilot has come a few weeks after a Taiwan pilot was killed after his F-5E fighter jet crashed into the sea during a similar training programme.

Without the F16 fighter jets in the skies, Taiwan will have the locally-built Indigenous Defence Fighter, French-built Mirages from the late 1990s and F5-E fighters that date back to the 1970s protecting the country from the constant interruption from the Chinese borders.

Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise. Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet.

Taiwan has grounded all of its F16 fighter jets on an immediate basis after one of the fighter jets went missing during a training exercise. Taiwan had nearly 150 F16 fighter jets in the sky, which have all been recalled back to the ground for a detailed safety check, while the rescue team is continuing its search for the missing jet. Also read| Taiwan talks up trans-Pacific trade pact after exclusion from new deal This decision, which was announced by the local authorities on Wednesday, has now put more pressure on the limited fleet of the country to warn off the Chinese jets which have increased their activity in the recent few months. The F16 fighter jet that went missing by being commanded by a 44-year-old pilot. It disappeared from the radar on Tuesday night at an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 metres). The jet disappeared merely two minutes after taking off from Hualien air base in eastern Taiwan on the same day. Also read: Asian nations sign RCEP, a China-backed trade pact, excluding India and US "The rescue mission is our top priority now. The air force has grounded all F16s for checks and I've instructed an investigation into the cause of the incident," President Tsai Ing-wen said. This disappearance of the 44-year-old pilot has come a few weeks after a Taiwan pilot was killed after his F-5E fighter jet crashed into the sea during a similar training programme. Without the F16 fighter jets in the skies, Taiwan will have the locally-built Indigenous Defence Fighter, French-built Mirages from the late 1990s and F5-E fighters that date back to the 1970s protecting the country from the constant interruption from the Chinese borders.

Taiwan recalls all F16 fighter jets after one goes missing during training session

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A fifth-generation ''Su-57'' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-releases-japan-fishing-boats-held-near-disputed-islands-269911">stealth fighter jet</a> crashed in Eastern Russia. According to the news agency TASS, the jet crashed in the Khabarovsk region after experiencing a flight control system failure.&nbsp;

Based on the information provided by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the jet crashed during a test flight, after the pilot had safely ejected from the aircraft.

Russia is set to receive its first serial-produced Sukhoi Su-57 jet before this year ends.

Additionally, as per the Russian Defence Ministry, the aircraft developer Sukhoi is going to deliver 76 fifth-generation Su-57s to the Russian Aerospace Forces by 2028.

Sources say that the 5th generation 57s are designed to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-flee-dozens-reported-killed-as-turkey-pushes-syria-assault-255067">decimate</a> air, ground, and surface targets.

(With inputs from agencies)

A fifth-generation ''Su-57'' stealth fighter jet crashed in Eastern Russia. According to the news agency TASS, the jet crashed in the Khabarovsk region after experiencing a flight control system failure.

A fifth-generation ''Su-57'' stealth fighter jet crashed in Eastern Russia. According to the news agency TASS, the jet crashed in the Khabarovsk region after experiencing a flight control system failure. Based on the information provided by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the jet crashed during a test flight, after the pilot had safely ejected from the aircraft. Russia is set to receive its first serial-produced Sukhoi Su-57 jet before this year ends. Additionally, as per the Russian Defence Ministry, the aircraft developer Sukhoi is going to deliver 76 fifth-generation Su-57s to the Russian Aerospace Forces by 2028. Sources say that the 5th generation 57s are designed to decimate air, ground, and surface targets. (With inputs from agencies)

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-on-oil-tankers-at-south-korean-port-injures-ten-252596">A South Korean fighter jet</a> conducted a patrol flight on Tuesday over islands at the centre of a bitter dispute with Japan, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said at an event marking the founding of the South Korean military.

South Korea showcased newly acquired F-35 stealth fighter jets to mark Armed Forces Day as Moon tried to allay concerns that his policy of engagement with North Korea would weaken the South's commitment to defence.

He said a South Korean F-15K jet patrolled over the disputed islets called Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan, which are controlled by Seoul and claimed by both countries, a move that could inflame already strained ties between the two.

"Just a moment ago, the F-15K, the most powerful fighter-bomber in Northeast Asia, has returned from completing a patrol mission over our land Dokdo... without any problems," Moon said in an address to the military.

On Friday, South Korean government officials had protested against Tokyo's annual defence review which made a reference to Japan owning the islands. South Korea's foreign ministry summoned a military official at the Japanese embassy in Seoul to demand an immediate retraction.

South Korea and Japan have been locked in a worsening diplomatic and trade row rooted in wartime history and disagreements over compensation for forced labourers during Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation of Korea.

After Japan tightened its curbs on exports of high-tech materials vital to South Korea's chip and display industries in July, both countries have removed each other from fast-track trade status.

In July, a Russian military aircraft twice violated airspace over the disputed islands and drew hundreds of warning shots from South Korean jets, South Korean officials said, during what Russia said was a long-range joint air patrol with China.

Japan, which said it also scrambled fighter aircraft at the time, lodged a complaint with both South Korea and Russia over the incident.

The islands had 28 South Korean residents as of Tuesday, according to South Korean police.

F-35 deliveries

Moon marked Armed Forces Day at a ceremony at an airbase in the city of Daegu where four of the eight Lockheed Martin.&nbsp;F-35A jets delivered this year were displayed. Forty of the aircraft are to be delivered by 2021.

He made no direct mention of Japan, or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">North Korea</a>, in his address, but said today's security climate was highly unpredictable, requiring strength as well as innovation.

"As the recent drone attack in the Middle East region demonstrated to the world, the challenges that we will face will be entirely different from those of the past," he said.

North Korea has criticised the South's weapons procurements and its joint military drills with the US&nbsp;military as undisguised preparations for war that are forcing it to develop new short-range missiles.

Moon has thrown his support behind dialogue to end the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, urging that working-level negotiations between the North and the United States be held soon. No new dates or locations have been set.

Analysts have said the F-35 stealth jets put North Korea's anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems in a vulnerable position.

A South Korean fighter jet conducted a patrol flight on Tuesday over islands at the centre of a bitter dispute with Japan, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said at an event marking the founding of the South Korean military.

A South Korean fighter jet conducted a patrol flight on Tuesday over islands at the centre of a bitter dispute with Japan, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said at an event marking the founding of the South Korean military. South Korea showcased newly acquired F-35 stealth fighter jets to mark Armed Forces Day as Moon tried to allay concerns that his policy of engagement with North Korea would weaken the South's commitment to defence. He said a South Korean F-15K jet patrolled over the disputed islets called Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan, which are controlled by Seoul and claimed by both countries, a move that could inflame already strained ties between the two. "Just a moment ago, the F-15K, the most powerful fighter-bomber in Northeast Asia, has returned from completing a patrol mission over our land Dokdo... without any problems," Moon said in an address to the military. On Friday, South Korean government officials had protested against Tokyo's annual defence review which made a reference to Japan owning the islands. South Korea's foreign ministry summoned a military official at the Japanese embassy in Seoul to demand an immediate retraction. South Korea and Japan have been locked in a worsening diplomatic and trade row rooted in wartime history and disagreements over compensation for forced labourers during Japan’s 1910-1945 occupation of Korea. After Japan tightened its curbs on exports of high-tech materials vital to South Korea's chip and display industries in July, both countries have removed each other from fast-track trade status. In July, a Russian military aircraft twice violated airspace over the disputed islands and drew hundreds of warning shots from South Korean jets, South Korean officials said, during what Russia said was a long-range joint air patrol with China. Japan, which said it also scrambled fighter aircraft at the time, lodged a complaint with both South Korea and Russia over the incident. The islands had 28 South Korean residents as of Tuesday, according to South Korean police. F-35 deliveries Moon marked Armed Forces Day at a ceremony at an airbase in the city of Daegu where four of the eight Lockheed Martin. F-35A jets delivered this year were displayed. Forty of the aircraft are to be delivered by 2021. He made no direct mention of Japan, or North Korea, in his address, but said today's security climate was highly unpredictable, requiring strength as well as innovation. "As the recent drone attack in the Middle East region demonstrated to the world, the challenges that we will face will be entirely different from those of the past," he said. North Korea has criticised the South's weapons procurements and its joint military drills with the US military as undisguised preparations for war that are forcing it to develop new short-range missiles. Moon has thrown his support behind dialogue to end the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, urging that working-level negotiations between the North and the United States be held soon. No new dates or locations have been set. Analysts have said the F-35 stealth jets put North Korea's anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems in a vulnerable position.

South Korean fighter jet patrols over islands disputed by Japan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-ceo-apologises-says-crisis-has-shaken-public-confidence-in-company-222655">Boeing's</a> chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a CNBC interview on Monday&nbsp;that the company hasn't received any orders for its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/faa-considered-grounding-some-boeing-737-max-planes-last-year-source-214840">737 Max planes</a> since the aircraft was grounded following two deadly crashes.

Boeing shares fell more than 1.5% after the interview aired.

On Sunday, June 2, US&nbsp;regulators disclosed a new problem involving the grounded 737 MAX jets, saying that more than 300 of the troubled model and the prior generation 737 may contain improperly manufactured parts.

Adding to Boeing's woes was Azerbaijan Airlines, which cancelled a $1 bln contract to purchase 10 jets.

Talking to CNBC, Muilenburg also said his company hasn't changed its long-term 737 MAX production plans, and that he was the right person to lead the company through the crisis.

He added that 737 MAX would be back in operation before the end of this year and that he was confident MAX fleet would be safe when it returns.

Boeing's chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a CNBC interview on Monday that the company hasn't received any orders for its 737 Max planes since the aircraft was grounded following two deadly crashes.

Boeing's chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a CNBC interview on Monday that the company hasn't received any orders for its 737 Max planes since the aircraft was grounded following two deadly crashes. Boeing shares fell more than 1.5% after the interview aired. On Sunday, June 2, US regulators disclosed a new problem involving the grounded 737 MAX jets, saying that more than 300 of the troubled model and the prior generation 737 may contain improperly manufactured parts. Adding to Boeing's woes was Azerbaijan Airlines, which cancelled a $1 bln contract to purchase 10 jets. Talking to CNBC, Muilenburg also said his company hasn't changed its long-term 737 MAX production plans, and that he was the right person to lead the company through the crisis. He added that 737 MAX would be back in operation before the end of this year and that he was confident MAX fleet would be safe when it returns.

Boeing has not received any 737 Max orders since grounding: CEO Dennis Muilenburg

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/42-injured-after-a-powerful-blast-in-japans-restaurant-184627">Japan will accelerate </a>spending on advanced stealth fighters, long-range missiles and other equipment over the next five years to support US forces facing China's military in the Western Pacific, two new government defence papers said.

The plans are the clearest indication yet of Japan's ambition to become a regional power as a military build-up by China and a resurgent Russia puts pressure on its US ally.

"The United States remains the world's most powerful nation, but national rivalries are surfacing and we recognise the importance of the strategic competition with both China and Russia as they challenge the regional order," said a 10-year defence programme outline approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government on Tuesday.

The United States, followed by China, North Korea and Russia, are the countries that most influenced Japan's latest military thinking, the paper said.

China, the world's second-biggest economy, is deploying more ships and aircraft to patrol waters near Japan, while North Korea has yet to fulfil a pledge to dismantle its nuclear and missile programmes.

Russia, which continues to probe Japanese air defences, said on Monday it had built new barracks for troops on a northern island it captured from Japan at the end of World War Two.

MORE STEALTH FIGHTERS

Japan plans to buy 45 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighters, worth about $4 billion, in addition to the 42 jets already on order, according to a separate five-year procurement plan approved on Tuesday.

The new planes will include 18 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) B variants of the F-35 that planners want to deploy on Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea.

The islands are part of a chain stretching past Taiwan and down to the Philippines that has marked the limit of Chinese military dominance east of the disputed South China Sea.

"Japan's decision to acquire more F-35s is a testament to the aircraft's transformational capability and its increasing role in promoting regional stability and enhancing the US-Japan security alliance," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

The navy's two large helicopter carriers, the Izumo and Kaga, will be modified for F-35B operations, the paper said.

The 248-metre (814 ft) long Izumo-class ships are as big as any of Japan's aircraft carriers in World War Two. They will need reinforced decks to withstand the heat blast from F-35 engines and could be fitted with ramps to aid short take-offs, two defence ministry officials told Reuters.

TRADE WAR THREAT

The new F-35 order may also help Japan avert a trade war with the United States.

US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Japanese car imports, thanked Abe for buying the F-35s when the two met at a summit in Argentina this month.

Other US-made equipment on Japan's shopping list includes two land-based Aegis Ashore air defence radars to defend against North Korean missiles, four Boeing Co KC-46 Pegasus refuelling planes to extend the range of Japanese aircraft, and nine Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye early-warning planes.

Japan plans to spend $224.7 billion&nbsp;on military equipment over the next five years, 6.4 per cent higher than the previous five-year plan. Cost-cutting will free up another 2 trillion yen for purchases, the procurement paper said.

Japan only spends about 1 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, but the size of its economy means it already has one of the world's largest militaries.

"The budget is increasing and there has been an acceleration to deploy capability as soon as possible," Robert Morrissey, head of Raytheon Co's unit in Japan, said this month.

Wary of North Korean promises to abandon ballistic missile development, Japan's military is buying longer-range Raytheon SM-3 interceptor missiles to strike enemy warheads in space.

The defence papers assessed non-traditional military threats as well. A new joint-forces cyber unit will bolster Japan's defences against cyber attacks. More electronic warfare capabilities are planned.

Japan's air force will also get its first space unit to help keep tabs on potential adversaries high above the Earth's atmosphere.

Japan will accelerate spending on advanced stealth fighters, long-range missiles and other equipment over the next five years to support US forces facing China's military in the Western Pacific, two new government defence papers said.

Japan will accelerate spending on advanced stealth fighters, long-range missiles and other equipment over the next five years to support US forces facing China's military in the Western Pacific, two new government defence papers said. The plans are the clearest indication yet of Japan's ambition to become a regional power as a military build-up by China and a resurgent Russia puts pressure on its US ally. "The United States remains the world's most powerful nation, but national rivalries are surfacing and we recognise the importance of the strategic competition with both China and Russia as they challenge the regional order," said a 10-year defence programme outline approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government on Tuesday. The United States, followed by China, North Korea and Russia, are the countries that most influenced Japan's latest military thinking, the paper said. China, the world's second-biggest economy, is deploying more ships and aircraft to patrol waters near Japan, while North Korea has yet to fulfil a pledge to dismantle its nuclear and missile programmes. Russia, which continues to probe Japanese air defences, said on Monday it had built new barracks for troops on a northern island it captured from Japan at the end of World War Two. MORE STEALTH FIGHTERS Japan plans to buy 45 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighters, worth about $4 billion, in addition to the 42 jets already on order, according to a separate five-year procurement plan approved on Tuesday. The new planes will include 18 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) B variants of the F-35 that planners want to deploy on Japanese islands along the edge of the East China Sea. The islands are part of a chain stretching past Taiwan and down to the Philippines that has marked the limit of Chinese military dominance east of the disputed South China Sea. "Japan's decision to acquire more F-35s is a testament to the aircraft's transformational capability and its increasing role in promoting regional stability and enhancing the US-Japan security alliance," Lockheed Martin said in a statement. The navy's two large helicopter carriers, the Izumo and Kaga, will be modified for F-35B operations, the paper said. The 248-metre (814 ft) long Izumo-class ships are as big as any of Japan's aircraft carriers in World War Two. They will need reinforced decks to withstand the heat blast from F-35 engines and could be fitted with ramps to aid short take-offs, two defence ministry officials told Reuters. TRADE WAR THREAT The new F-35 order may also help Japan avert a trade war with the United States. US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Japanese car imports, thanked Abe for buying the F-35s when the two met at a summit in Argentina this month. Other US-made equipment on Japan's shopping list includes two land-based Aegis Ashore air defence radars to defend against North Korean missiles, four Boeing Co KC-46 Pegasus refuelling planes to extend the range of Japanese aircraft, and nine Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye early-warning planes. Japan plans to spend $224.7 billion on military equipment over the next five years, 6.4 per cent higher than the previous five-year plan. Cost-cutting will free up another 2 trillion yen for purchases, the procurement paper said. Japan only spends about 1 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, but the size of its economy means it already has one of the world's largest militaries. "The budget is increasing and there has been an acceleration to deploy capability as soon as possible," Robert Morrissey, head of Raytheon Co's unit in Japan, said this month. Wary of North Korean promises to abandon ballistic missile development, Japan's military is buying longer-range Raytheon SM-3 interceptor missiles to strike enemy warheads in space. The defence papers assessed non-traditional military threats as well. A new joint-forces cyber unit will bolster Japan's defences against cyber attacks. More electronic warfare capabilities are planned. Japan's air force will also get its first space unit to help keep tabs on potential adversaries high above the Earth's atmosphere.

Japan aims to buy more stealth jets, radar to support US in western Pacific

Pakistan is considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan, media reported today, after a plan to buy eight of the aircraft from the United States fell through because of the refusal of the US Congress to finance the deal. 
 
Some of Pakistan&#39;s fleet of F-16 jets are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near Afghanistan. 
 
The military also sees the aircraft as vital in case of war against old rival India. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. 
 
&quot;We are now going for a third-party transfer of F-16s and have an offer from Jordan,&quot; defence secretary Alam Khattak told a joint sitting of the senate defence and foreign affairs committees on Monday, newspapers reported. 
 
An air force spokesman declined to say how many F-16s Pakistan has but the number of the aircraft in service is believed to be about 70. 
 
Jordan had offered to sell Pakistan 16 used F-16s of the Block-30 variant, an older version than the Block-52s that Pakistan would have obtained from the United States, the Dawn newspaper reported. 
 
The US deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after the US Congress refused to authorise the use of government funds to pay for the aircraft under the foreign military financing (FMF) programme. 
 
Members of the US Congress, led by Republican Chairman of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Corker, demanded that Pakistan stop harbouring militant groups like the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network, which are leading an insurgency against a US-backed government in Kabul. 
 
Pakistan says it is acting against the militants, citing military operations in lawless ethnic Pashtun lands that border Afghanistan. 
 
Pakistan says the F-16s, with their precision strike ability and night-flying capability, are essential for that fight. 
 
The difficulty over the F-16 deal was the latest sign of increasingly frayed ties between Pakistan and the United States. 
 
Last month, a US drone killed Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the then chief of the Afghan Taliban, on Pakistani soil. 
 
Pakistan condemned the strike as a violation of its sovereignty, and as not being conducive towards encouraging the Taliban to enter talks with the Afghan government. 
 
Pakistan has bought Jordanian F-16s before, procuring 13 of them in 2014, Dawn reported. The current batch on offer were manufactured between 1988 and 1990, and were upgraded in 2001/02, Dawn said.

You'll get the jets when you stop harbouring militant groups like the Afghan Taliban, said the US

Pakistan is considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan, media reported today, after a plan to buy eight of the aircraft from the United States fell through because of the refusal of the US Congress to finance the deal. Some of Pakistan's fleet of F-16 jets are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near Afghanistan. The military also sees the aircraft as vital in case of war against old rival India. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. "We are now going for a third-party transfer of F-16s and have an offer from Jordan," defence secretary Alam Khattak told a joint sitting of the senate defence and foreign affairs committees on Monday, newspapers reported. An air force spokesman declined to say how many F-16s Pakistan has but the number of the aircraft in service is believed to be about 70. Jordan had offered to sell Pakistan 16 used F-16s of the Block-30 variant, an older version than the Block-52s that Pakistan would have obtained from the United States, the Dawn newspaper reported. The US deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after the US Congress refused to authorise the use of government funds to pay for the aircraft under the foreign military financing (FMF) programme. Members of the US Congress, led by Republican Chairman of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Corker, demanded that Pakistan stop harbouring militant groups like the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network, which are leading an insurgency against a US-backed government in Kabul. Pakistan says it is acting against the militants, citing military operations in lawless ethnic Pashtun lands that border Afghanistan. Pakistan says the F-16s, with their precision strike ability and night-flying capability, are essential for that fight. The difficulty over the F-16 deal was the latest sign of increasingly frayed ties between Pakistan and the United States. Last month, a US drone killed Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the then chief of the Afghan Taliban, on Pakistani soil. Pakistan condemned the strike as a violation of its sovereignty, and as not being conducive towards encouraging the Taliban to enter talks with the Afghan government. Pakistan has bought Jordanian F-16s before, procuring 13 of them in 2014, Dawn reported. The current batch on offer were manufactured between 1988 and 1990, and were upgraded in 2001/02, Dawn said.

After America says no, Pakistan mulls buying used F-16s from Jordan

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