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WASHINGTON (PTI): A core group of US and Pakistani officials met and reviewed the status of American military equipment deliveries to Pakistan, including the new F-16 fighter aircrafts, aimed at strengthening the country's security capabilities, an official statement has said.

The meeting that was held on May 5 in Rawalpindi, was co-chaired by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Thomas M Countryman, Deputy Director of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency Jeanne Lynn Farmer, and Major General Nasir Mahmood, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defense Production.

Among recent developments, the Working Group discussed the April 30 delivery of US P-3C patrol aircraft to the Pakistani Navy, an Oliver Hazard Perry Class naval vessel, and progress in construction at Shahbaz Air Force Base, facilitating the delivery of new F-16 fighter aircraft for the Pakistani Air Force later this year, a State Department statement said Wednesday.

It said the US security assistance programmes in Pakistan aim to improve Pakistan's counter insurgency and counter terrorism operational capacities, enhance US-Pakistan interoperability, and help to deepen bilateral relations, the statement said.

"Our robust military-to-military relationship with Pakistan also underscores our long-term commitment to remain engaged in the region, as well as our commitment to regional stability," said the State Department.