Joint air exercises between the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) and the US Air Force (USAF) will take place in the US by the end of 2010.

The PAF will fly 12-15 of its F-16 fighter jets to the US for participation in the manoeuvres, according to thenews.com.

A meeting in Washington conducted by the PAF will finalise the schedule, modalities, duration and technical details of the exercise.

The USAF will deliver the next batch of F-16 aircraft to the PAF before the joint exercises.

Pakistan will receive 18 new F-16C/D block 52 aircraft, from the US, under a contract signed on 30 September 2006.

PAF Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman is expected to be awarded a medal by the US Government in recognition of his work with the PAF.