The U.S. State Department finally approved the long-delayed $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Türkiye on Friday, sending formal notification to Congress, shortly after Ankara approved the NATO membership of Sweden.
“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.
Türkiye submitted a requested to the U.S. in October 2021 to purchase 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft, as well as 79 modernization kits to upgrade its remaining F-16s to Block 70 level.
The request includes 32 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft, 8 F-16 D Block 70 aircraft, 48 F110-GE-129D engines, as well as 119 for the modernization program – 79 installed, 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.
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