Washington’s decision to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets has drawn accusations of double standards from critics in India, who question why the United States is strengthening a nuclear-armed ally while waging war against Iran over its nuclear programme.
Although the US$686 million military modernisation package does not include nuclear weapons, analysts say that improvements to the fighter jets’ navigation, communications and survivability could boost Pakistan’s existing nuclear strike capabilities against India.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly raised concerns about the F-16 programme with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, late last month.