Pakistan buys hi-tech system for F-16 fighter jets

Pakistan has bought ALQ-211, Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) from US for F-16 fighters, media reported on Tuesday. Daily ‘the News’ reported that the new system would enhance the capacity of the F-16 fighter jets. It allows the aircraft to detect radar, jamming and laser signals hitting the aircraft, as well as the presence of chemical weapons.  The system also provides some jamming of its own, and assistance on where the signal is coming from, so the pilot can move the aircraft away from the threat.  Components of ALQ-211 are programmable, so that the system can quickly be updated for newly discovered enemy equipment. Pakistan will receive ALQ-211(V) 9 (version 9), which costs about $3.5 million per pod.