The Biden administration has given its formal approval for the long-pending sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and F-35 fighter jets to Greece, international media reported.
The State Department and the US Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of these approvals on Friday, as reported by Reuters.
The $23 billion deal for Turkey includes the sale of 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s along with nearly 80 modernization kits. The notification came one day after Ankara completed the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership, a crucial step linked to the deal.
Simultaneously, the Biden administration advanced an $8.6 billion deal to sell 20 Lockheed F-35 Lightning stealth fighter jets to Greece, a NATO ally. The DSCA stated that this sale would enhance the air capabilities and interoperability of Greece, contributing to the foreign policy goals and national security of the United States.
Turkey had initially requested the F-16 jets in October 2021, but the delay in approving Sweden’s NATO bid had been a significant obstacle. The Turkish Parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO bid earlier this week after a 20-month delay. In response, President Biden urged congressional committee leaders to promptly approve the F-16 sale.
Congress now has 15 days to object to the sale following the State Department’s formal notification, after which it will be considered final.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, emphasised that his approval depended on Turkish support for Sweden’s NATO membership and urged Ankara to address human rights concerns, cooperate on holding Russia accountable for its actions, and contribute to de-escalating tensions in the Middle East. While some members have criticised Turkey, US officials do not anticipate Congress blocking either sale.
