Pakistan used AMRAAM missiles fired from its F-16 jet in violation of US end-user agreement
India has given proof to the US about the use of F-16 fighters and AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missile by Pakistan during its unsuccessful aerial raid targeting Indian military installations on February 27, official sources said on Tuesday.
They said India was confident that the US was carrying out a thorough investigation into use of the US-made fighter jet as well as the missile on board it in the offensive against India.
As part of the purchasing agreement, the US had put restrictions and reportedly barred Pakistan from using the F-16s against any third country and it was only allowed to operate the fighter in self-defence and for anti-terror missions.
The Indian Air Force on February 28 displayed parts of an AMRAAM missile as evidence to "conclusively" prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during an aerial raid targeting Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir. It said Pakistan does not have any other fighters capable of firing an AMRAAM missile.
The US State Department has said that it is seeking more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of American-made F-16 fighter jets by it against India in violation of the end-user agreement.
After the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot on February 26.
The next day, Pakistan Air Force tried to target Indian military installation in Jammu and Kashmir but was thwarted by the IAF, which also lost a MiG-21 Bison while its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured. He was handed over to India.
AMRAAM missiles allow a fighter pilot to target an enemy aircraft that is beyond visual range, in day or night, and in all-weather conditions. They have an autonomous guidance capability, which allows the pilot to manoeuvre immediately after the missile's launch.