America wouldn't taunt pakistan if the status quo in the american government continues, then aim-120 at ideas could be a sales picth to other nation but considering it was shown in pakistan, it can be up for sale to pakistan

what were all the american items shown at ideas 2004?

Should've opened this in the Think Tank Forum.

2 b honest, i have been thinking about this question since i first saw Amraam's pic at Ideas 2004.

So y did Raytheon decide to display it there??? The question gets even more confusing if i c it in the light of a recent article which mentioned that many global weapons manufacturers have decided to reduce their attendance of such shows mainly due to cost factor, and the fact that they dont really help much when it comes to selling...Ideas 2004 was not exactly a global scale show like Paris/Farnborough Airshows, where the items for sale may not be intended for the host country, but one may get desired effect. So was it intended at Pakistan or some other country...a list of all the delgations may help? My personal assumption here is dat it may indeed be directed at Pakistan since we know from the recent comments of one of LM directors dat US is more (than in recent history) likely sell some F-16s to PAF and we also know that PAF has asked for Amraams. So Rayhteon may have gone ahead with it. However, OTOH, if US refused the sale of this potent weapon to a country like Egypt, its unlikely to be sold to PAF...at least not yet...and i dont think Raytheon r stupid enough not to have known this. But then again, the situation in South Asia and ME r rather different...so u never know. Yet, it may be another carrot/stick sort of approach from US. Having said all this, i guess i can go on with my speculation, but only time would reveal the answer to this question.

It would be good to get some American arms, such as additional F-16s, new and old, as well as AIM-120s, etc. However, it would be a very bad idea to centre ourselves around them. Thankfully we have the JF-17 and SD-10, but if we're gonna get current production block F-16s (unlikely, but lets suppose) we should precaution our selves. Even when American weapons are available, we should practically mirror everything we get from the U.S.

For instance, suppose we order like 40 F-16C/D Block-50s with AIM-120B/Cs. IF we do that, we should mirror it with 40 J-10s and SD-10s, alongside a long-term order of 200 JF-17s. This way, the U.S would have to think a hundred times before embargoeing Pakistan. Even though, lets say the F-16s cost us 1.2bn USD, and the J-10s cost us 1.4bn USD. That isn't suprising, though quite costly, it is for our beneficial safety from sanctions and embargoes.

Senior officials from 38 countries joined the exhibition. "Ideas" is just a platform for countries to show their weapons and increase sales. If US puts some of its air-to-air missiles, that doesnt mean it is keen to sell this weapon to Pakistan, but it may sell it to other 38 countries who have joined the exhibition.

ACM once said that our top periority is to get AWACS and long range missiles. The western countries have refused to sell us BVR missiles and this made us join the SD-10 project.

The F-16 sales to Pakistan is still unlikely. I dont care what lockheed martin or one or two USAF official say. The decision will be made by the Congress. Lets not forget Bush's words when he was asked about the F-16 sales to Pakistan.

1. The US will export only downgraded versions (llok at JSF reports). They will never ask Pakistan to buy Aim9d
2. The americans use corrots as often as possible. They will left outside influence if Pakistan opts for J10 and SD10. That means not only Chjina gets the cash (China is numero uno enemy for US cause it is taking over the role of former Sovjet Union) but also PAkistan gets more know how.
3. I have been reading about F16's on the table for decades... The table seems to have short term memory.

Bush values the Pakistani alliance. He comments on the Pakistanis often, and always has glowing praise for the Pakistani's cooperation and assistance in the war in terror.

If Musharraf continues down the same road, many doors will be opened to many weapons systems.

Time and patience is all that's required. That's my opinion at least.

i have always appreaciate your words for Pakistan, i hope the friendship continues between the USA and Pakistan and both country get benifited equaly from it.

U.S-Pakistani relations were looking better than Japanese-U.S relations in the 1950s and 1960s. Too bad our leaders at the time were to filled with rage to take down India, they couldn't restrain themselves at the time.

so with new f-16 the aim-120 will be a shoe in

Pakistan must maintain its relations with US as it is very necessary for our export and for economy...But we must also hunt for new markets and mushy is doing good in that regards developing ties in Latin American countires.Brazil,Argentina..

AS for weapons Pakistan only opt for those systems which will come as whole system and Pakistan armed forces can't be emborged later on to get spares

i agree with pakshahee, yes we must find more markets. Pakistan needs economical stabilty.

Pakistan should be buying as many weapons and systems which could be used by all three of the forces, reducing our logistical costs, so we can go for some hi-tech toys as well.