Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Monday welcomed the American government's decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

"It was our long-stand demand, which has now been met. The induction of the new F-16s will increase our strategic capability of defensive deterrence," Musharraf said in an interview with state-run Pakistan TV.

Answering a question about the number of the F-16s to be purchased by Pakistan, Musharraf said there was no limitation and that "we will decide the matter according to our requirements."

The United States announced Friday that it was selling F-16s to Pakistan. Pakistani defense officials say the move would help the Pakistani air force maintain an effective deterrence level.

India opposed the US decision to sell F-16s to Pakistan, saying this deal could disturb the region's military balance.

Pakistan struck a deal with the United States for F-16 jets in the late 1980s, but Washington blocked the sale in 1990 as a sanction against Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.