No Delivery Timeline To Tumultuous Country Given

Hmm... given the current turmoil in Pakistan, is this the best time to be sending the tormented country MORE firepower? In any case, on Monday the Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $498.2 million contract to supply Pakistan with 18 F-16 fighters.

Reuters reports the deal includes 12 F-16C fighters, and six F-16D two-seat trainers. Perhaps tellingly, no timeline on the deliveries was announced.

The decision came as Pakistani officials mulled over whether to continue with a January 8 presidential election, following the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, who was an outspoken critic of President Pervez Musharraf. The election has since been postponed to February 18.

Pakistan has received roughly $10 million in funds from the United States since 2001, due to the country's perceived role as a key ally in the War on Terror. The country also serves as a strategic foothold for efforts against terrorists operating in neighboring Afghanistan.

The sale may come under fire from US lawmakers. Last month, Congress placed restrictions on the $300 million in military aid given to Pakistan annually, stating $250 million of that sum must be spent on projects directly tied to combating terrorism, according to Agence-France Presse.

Lawmakers also said the remaining balance should be withheld until the White House can offer proof Pakistan is moving towards democracy.

Given recent strife, and Musharraf's tenuous hold on power... they probably shouldn't hold their breath on that.

FMI: www.lmco.com, www.pentagon.gov