WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon has offered Pakistan a $1.2 billion arms package, the first in more than 14 years, the Hindustan Times reported Thursday.
Some see the offer as a reward for Pakistan's support in the U.S. war on terror.
The arms package, which must be approved by the U.S. Congress, includes eight P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft, six Phalanx rapid-fire guns for the Pakistan navy and more than 2,000 TOW 2 missiles for the army, according to Pentagon sources.
It does not include the F-16 fighter jets that Pakistan has been keen to acquire. Islamabad had asked the United States for at least 18 new F-16s.
Congress has 30 days to reject or approve the proposed arms sales. But congressional sources said the sale is expected to sail through smoothly, as both the House of Representatives and Senate have Republican majorities.
The delivery of an earlier batch of 60 F-16s to Pakistan was suspended in 1990 due to the Pressler sanctions, which blocked the sale amid reports that Pakistan was clandestinely developing nuclear weapons. The sanctions were lifted after Pakistan pledged to help the United States rid the region of terrorist activity.
