Why is the USA Providing Military Aid to Pakistan? A Critical Analysis
Introduction. Today, we are going to discuss an extremely important and controversial topic: Why is the USA providing almost $400 million in military aid to Pakistan under Donald Trump’s administration? This issue has been raised by various political parties in India, and it is crucial for you to understand it properly.
Recently, The Times of India published an article questioning whether this move compromises India’s security. The aid package is intended for the maintenance of Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets. But is it really just for maintenance, or is there more to the story?
Historical Context: A Pattern of Military Aid
This is not the first time the USA has provided financial assistance to Pakistan for its F-16 fleet. Two and a half years ago, under Joe Biden’s administration, the US approved a $450 million military aid package for the same purpose. At that time, India strongly protested, forcing the US to justify that the aid was strictly for maintenance and not for additional capabilities or weapons.
However, it was later revealed that the USA was supplying new missiles specifically designed for the F-16s. This raises a critical question: Why does the USA keep funding Pakistan’s F-16 program repeatedly, despite knowing its implications?
Pakistan’s Use of F-16s
Pakistan possesses 85 F-16 fighter jets, of which 75 are operational. These aircraft form the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force. If Pakistan were to lose its F-16s, its air force would become significantly weaker.
Even though these jets were originally supplied for counter-terrorism operations, Pakistan has historically used them against two main targets:
- India – In cross-border conflicts.
- Afghanistan – In bombing campaigns against civilians.
Considering this, it is difficult to believe that the USA is funding Pakistan’s F-16 fleet merely for “maintenance.”
Does Pakistan Really Need $400 Million for Maintenance?
The biggest question here is: How can maintaining F-16s require nearly $400 million within just 2.5 years of receiving a $450 million package?
Pakistan has not been involved in major wars, and its fleet remains largely inactive. Apart from occasional bombings in Afghanistan and a few past skirmishes with India, its fighter jets have not been used in large-scale operations. So, where is this money going?
The lack of accountability surrounding this aid is alarming. The USA has halted foreign aid to many countries, including developing nations, yet Pakistan continues to receive military funds. Even US foreign aid programs like USAID were paused for 90 days, except for Israel and Egypt. Now, Pakistan seems to have unofficially joined this exclusive list.
Implications for India and the World
The USA claims that this financial support is strictly for counter-terrorism operations. However, past trends suggest that this money ultimately strengthens Pakistan’s military, which has historically misused F-16s against civilians and neighboring countries.
Even Elon Musk and Donald Trump have not commented on this issue, raising concerns about transparency. If Indian citizens raise this issue on social media, it may catch the attention of global leaders, potentially leading to a reconsideration of this unnecessary expenditure.
Should India Raise This Issue?
Absolutely! The Indian government must formally question the USA on this decision. If Donald Trump is made aware of this issue, he might reconsider the aid package, just as he did in his first term when he banned all military aid to Pakistan.
India needs to take a firm stand and highlight the contradiction in US policy—on one hand, cutting down foreign aid and on the other, funding Pakistan’s military. Raising this concern at the diplomatic level could potentially lead to the cancellation of this aid package.
Conclusion
So, what do you think? Should India raise this issue with the USA? Let us know your opinions in the comment section. Also, if you found this information valuable, share this article to spread awareness.