Pakistan Joins List of Sniper ATP Customers

Sniper XR on F-16(click to view full) Despite the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan, which include an active insurgency, large stretches of the country under de facto al Qaeda rule, visible weakness on the part of Pakistan’s leadership within Islamabad itself, and close ties to China; the transfer of advanced US military technology, from F-16 C/Ds to Advanced Hawkeye AWACS radars [pdf], to the USA’s most modern targeting pods, continues apace. Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Orlando, FL received a $54.6 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide for 22 Sniper targeting pods and associated support for foreign military sales requirements to Pakistan. At this time, $27.3 million have been obligated. Solicitations began March 2007, negotiations were complete April 2007, and work will be complete December 2010. The Headquarters 542d Combat Sustainment Wing, Robins Air Force Base, GA issued the contract (FA8539-07-C-0009). In its DSCA-announced requests, Pakistan had requested the pods as a component of its $1.3 billion buy of 60 requested F-16A/B Mid-Life Update (MLU) modification and Falcon Star Structural Service Life Enhancement kits.