US State Department formally notifies Congress of approved F-16 sale to Türkiye

Türkiye secures a $23 billion F-16 deal with the US, bolstering its defense capabilities and NATO role

The U.S. State Department approved Friday the pending $23 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Türkiye, sending formal notification to Congress.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States by improving the air capabilities and interoperability of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” it said.

The approval came after Türkiye submitted documents related to Sweden’s NATO membership protocol after it was ratified Tuesday by the Turkish Parliament and was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.

In October 2021, Turkiye formally submitted a request to the U.S. to procure 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft. Additionally, the Turkish government sought 79 modernization kits to enhance its existing fleet of F-16s, bringing them up to the advanced Block 70 standard.

The request includes 32 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft, 8 F-16 D Block 70 aircraft, 48 F110-GE-129D engines, and 119 for the modernization program – 79 were installed and 40 spares.

The State Department informally notified Congress last January of the F-16 fighter jet sale but key lawmakers on Capitol Hill have vowed to nix the deal because of several demands, including making the purchase contingent on Ankara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership bid.

Congress has the right to object to the State Department’s determination within 15 business days for sale approvals granted to NATO members, including Türkiye, a member of the alliance for more than 70 years.

In a statement Friday, Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin said that he would permit the sale after Ankara’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership bid.

Sen. Jim Risch, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in late October that he would drop his objection to the sale after Erdogan gave a greenlight to Sweden’s bid to join NATO.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks released statements announcing that they had approved the sale to Türkiye.

On Friday, the State Department also notified Congress of the $8.6 billion possible sale of 40 F-35 aircraft and related equipment to Greece.

Source: Newsroom

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