U.S. Senate rejects bid to halt $23 billion fighter jet sale to Türkiye

US Senate rejects proposal to stop the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter planes and upgrading kits to Türkiy

A proposal to stop the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter planes and related upgrading kits to Türkiye was soundly rejected by the U.S. Senate on Thursday, demonstrating the complexity of diplomatic relations and foreign alliances. President Joe Biden’s administration approved this deal, which came after Sweden’s NATO membership was endorsed by Türkiye.

An overwhelming 78 senators voted against a motion proposed by Republican Senator Rand Paul to disapprove of the transaction during the voting process. The Turkish administration was sharply criticized by Senator Paul before the vote, who said that authorizing the deal would encourage Türkiye’s “misbehavior.” On the other hand, advocates of the agreement highlighted how crucial it is to keep your word to a NATO partner.

Following Ankara’s complete confirmation of Sweden’s NATO membership, on Jan. 26, the Biden administration officially informed Congress that it intended to go forward with the sale of forty F-16 aircraft from Lockheed Martin along with around eighty upgrade kits. 

Due to a number of issues, including Türkiye’s initial reluctance to support Sweden’s desire to join the military alliance, the transaction, which Türkiye first indicated an interest in Oct. 2021, had been delayed for months. 

Congress may veto major weapons sales under the U.S. weapons Export Control Act by adopting a resolution of disapproval in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Even though this clause has been in place for more than 50 years, no resolution of this kind has ever passed Congress and survived a possible veto from the president.

Source: Reuters