Pakistan receives first set of new F-16s

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin presented the first of 18 new F-16s for the Pakistani air force in a ceremony attended by U.S. and Pakistani military officials in Texas.

The first F-16 order is designated Peace Drive I in line with a tradition in the international sales program. The latest presentation raised the number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54.

"Peace Drive is the flagship of modernization for Pakistan's air force," said John Larson, vice president of F-16 programs for Lockheed Martin. "It is the latest configuration of the best 4th generation multirole fighter available in the world today."

The Peace Drive I program is for 12 F-16Cs and six F-16Ds. The first of the two-seater F-16Ds is scheduled for delivery in December. Remaining aircraft are scheduled for 2010 delivery.

Lockheed Martin said it plans upgrades to its F-16 fleet to keep the aircraft modern.

Pakistan ordered its first aircraft from Lockheed Martin in 1963 with the C-130B airlifters. The Pakistani air force received its first F-16 deliveries in 1982.