The United States (US) has approved the “release and export” of a $686 million support package to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter aircraft, according to letters sent by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress.

The DSCA notification, issued under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, states that Congress must be informed in advance of certain proposed arms sales. The agency said the package is intended “to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts.”

The DSCA said the sale supports US foreign policy and national security objectives. It added that the upgrades would help Pakistan “meet current and future threats by updating and refurbishing its fleet.”

The package includes major defense equipment valued at $37 million, notably 92 Link-16 systems and six Mk-82 inert 500-lb general-purpose bomb bodies, along with $649 million worth of non-major defense items.

The updates are expected to “provide more seamless integration and interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the US Air Force in combat operations, exercises, and training,” the DSCA wrote.

It further noted that the refurbishment would extend the aircrafts’ service life “through 2040 while addressing critical flight safety concerns.”

The letters state that Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining its military forces and “will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

A final determination concluded that Pakistan can provide “substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology” as the United States.