Photo: Erdoğan, F-16, Haber Gündem Haberleri / Türkiye Gazetesi
By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
January 27, 2024
In a significant diplomatic development, the U.S. State Department officially notified Congress on Friday of the approval for Turkey’s purchase of 40 F-16 fighter jets, totaling $23 billion. This decision comes on the heels of Turkey’s crucial endorsement of Sweden’s bid to join NATO.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the approval and underscored the importance of enhancing Turkey’s defense capabilities through this strategic acquisition. In addition to the F-16s, a companion sale of $8.6 billion for advanced F-35 fighter jets to Greece was also announced by the State Department on the same day.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his endorsement of the sale to Turkey. However, his approval was contingent on Turkey’s reciprocal approval of Sweden’s NATO membership, which was successfully granted by Sweden’s parliament earlier in the week.
In a statement, Senator Cardin commended the Turkish Parliament for approving Sweden’s NATO accession protocol, calling it a significant step forward in strengthening the Euro-Atlantic community. He emphasized the importance of unity in the face of geopolitical challenges, particularly in response to Russia’s actions in Eastern Europe.
While Senator Cardin approved the sale, he did not shy away from expressing concerns about Turkey’s human rights record. He urged Turkey to address urgent human rights issues and raised apprehensions about the country’s relations with Russia, support for Hamas, and criticism of Israel.
“My concerns have been strongly and consistently conveyed to the Biden administration as part of our ongoing engagement,” Senator Cardin stated. He expressed encouragement regarding the ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Turkish officials to address these concerns.
The delay in Sweden’s NATO membership approval by Turkey was tied to various concessions sought by Ankara, including concerns related to Kurdish groups, arms sales bans, and calls for Turkey’s assistance in joining the European Union. The approval was a pivotal factor for the release of the hold placed by the former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, on the F-16 sale.
Lockheed Martin is poised to be the main contractor for the sale, which includes the acquisition of 40 new F-16 aircraft by Turkey and the modernization of 79 existing F-16 aircraft to V-configuration. The strategic move is seen not only as a bolstering of Turkey’s defense capabilities but also as an expansion of NATO’s presence to counter Russian aggression in the region.
The recent entries of Sweden and Finland into NATO further fortify the alliance’s northern border with Russia. Despite earlier tensions, the arms deal is indicative of improving relations between the United States and Turkey. This development positions Turkey strategically within NATO and marks a significant chapter in regional geopolitics.