US approves $686M F-16 upgrade for Pakistan; India concerned

• US approved a $686 million package to upgrade Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets, currently under review by the US Congress.
• The upgrade package includes hardware, software, Link-16 systems, inert bombs, and advanced identification systems for F-16 Block 52 and Mid-Life Update variants.
• India is concerned about the deal, citing past use of F-16s by Pakistan and the timing of the US support.
• The US maintains the package is for sustainment, addresses flight safety, and will not alter the regional military balance.
• This deal follows previous US approvals for F-16 maintenance and missile sales to Pakistan.

Why It Matters: US F-16 upgrade for Pakistan raises India's security concerns.