SwordFish_13
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Peace
-=SF-13=-
Source:BBC News
The US government has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, Bush administration officials say.
US President George W Bush called Indian premier Manmohan Singh to tell him about the decision, which is to be announced later on Friday.
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Indian government spokesman Sanjay Baru said that Mr Singh had expressed "great disappointment" at the decision.
The premier told Mr Bush it would exacerbate India's security concerns for the region.
But an unnamed US official told AP news agency that the sale would not change the overall balance of military power in the region.
"[The F-16s] are vital to Pakistan's security as President Musharraf prosecutes the war on terror," the official said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed the F-16 issue with Indian officials during her recent visit to the region.
Successful fighter
Pakistan's information minister, Sheikh Ahmed Rashid, confirmed to the BBC Urdu service that Pakistan would be getting F-16s.
Correspondents say that the Indian government fears the arms deal will disturb the military balance between the long-time rivals and affect the current peace dialogue.
Pakistan signed a deal to buy F-16s in the late 1980s but they have not been delivered because the US imposed sanctions in the 1990s over Pakistan's nuclear programme.
The United States did sign a separate $1.3bn arms package with Pakistan last year.
The F-16 is built by Lockheed Martin and is one of the world's most successful fighter aircraft.
About 4,500 are in commission with air forces around the world.
Peace
-=SF-13=-