The Trump administration has released $397 million for a U.S.-backed program in Pakistan to monitor the use of F-16 fighter jets, ensuring they are employed for counterterrorism operations and not against India. The funds will support the Technical Security Team (TST), which oversees the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) compliance with strict end-use monitoring rules. This oversight has been in place since 2019, following a $125 million support package for the F-16 fleet.
Despite India’s claims of shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a 2019 skirmish, U.S. officials confirmed all jets were accounted for, and using the aircraft in self-defense did not violate the agreement. In 2022, the U.S. approved a $450 million package to sustain Pakistan’s F-16 program.
The $397 million release is part of $5.3 billion in exemptions from Trump’s foreign aid freeze, which prioritized security and counternarcotics programs. Most of the funds—$4.1 billion—were allocated to military aid, with limited exemptions for humanitarian programs. USAID programs received less than $100 million, compared to their usual $40 billion annual budget.
The freeze sparked criticism for neglecting global humanitarian crises, including in Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Critics argue the narrow focus on security could create long-term instability, while Trump defended the freeze as aligning with his “America First” policy.
