Pakistan has asked the US to meet the requirements of its armed forces, especially the supply of F-16 combat jets.
Defence Minister Chaudry Ahmad Mukhtar, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari, informed US Ambassador Anne Patterson about the defence requirements of Pakistan, particularly the provision of F-16 aircraft.
Patterson emphasised the need to strengthen defence ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Both sides
agreed to "intensify bilateral cooperation so as to overcome the challenges being confronted" by both countries, said a statement issued after the meeting held on Tuesday.
The US is currently in the process of supplying 12 used F-16 jets to Pakistan for its role as a "major non-NATO
ally". Pakistan also had plans to buy 36 new F-16s worth USD 5.1 billion but reduced its order to 18 jets after the
devastating 2005 earthquake in Kashmir brought on a