Pakistan Air Force will receive 18 new F-16 planes by July 2010 which would be equipped with several new weapons. Talks are also being held with China for supply of four AWACS planes which would be handed over to PAF by 2011.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said Tuesday that Pakistan Air Force would receive 18 new F-16 planes by July 2010. He was talking to media persons on the occasion of the induction ceremony of the first SAAB-2000 AEW&C aircraft at PAF Base in Kamra.

The Air Chief said that the new F-16s would be equipped with several new weapons adding that the PAF was fully capable of meeting all the challenges of air defense, while making it clear that Pakistan had no offensive designs against anyone and its defense purchases were of defensive nature.

To a question about modernization process of the PAF he said that talks were being held with China for supply of four AWACS planes which would be handed over to PAF by 2011.

HE further said that Pakistan would also receive surface-to-air missile system by end of next year.

He said with the induction of Swedish Saab-2000 Airborne Early Warning & Control AEW&C system, PAF has entered in a new era of air defense.

Replying to question he said that first squadron of JF-17 Thunder planes would become operational by June next.