oldbillthundercheif
Moderator
Side note: TOW missiles are big medicine against any type of bunker or built-up position. I bet that use of the weapon system is helpful in "anti-terror applications".
OK, which terrorists are out practicing maneuvers in their fleets of ships and columns of tanks?
The article states that they are buying the F16s and implies that the other deals are being done under similar terms. How is the US taxpayer paying for it again?
At the end of March 2005, President Bush reversed 15 years of policy begun under his father by offering F-16 fighter planes to Islamabad. Initially, Pakistan plans on buying two dozen of the Lockheed Martin manufactured planes, but Bush administration officials note there would be no limits on how many could eventually be purchased.[76] Pakistan’s economy is not strong enough to allow Musharraf to purchase the $35 million per copy fighter planes, and so the deal will be accompanied by about $3 billion in military aid.[77]
The Pakistani government gave substantial military support to the Taliban in the years leading up to the September 11 attacks, sending arms and soldiers to fight alongside the militant Afghan movement, according to newly released US official documents.
Side note: TOW missiles are big medicine against any type of bunker or built-up position. I bet that use of the weapon system is helpful in "anti-terror applications".
Was it a good idea long term? Who knows. Short term it worked. When your immediate concern is stopping a nuclear confrontation you tend to discount the future.