ISTANBUL: Turkey and the United States have signed a contract for the sale of F-16 warplanes after Washington greenlighted the $23 billion deal after months of negotiations, Turkish defense ministry sources said Thursday.
Turkish defense ministry confirmed that the contract has been formally signed, signaling the commencement of a new era in Turkey’s aerial defense strategy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey will procure 40 brand-new F-16 warplanes, coupled with upgrades to enhance the capabilities of 79 existing jets within its fleet. This acquisition represents a strategic investment aimed at modernizing Turkey’s air force and ensuring its readiness to tackle evolving security challenges.
The announcement comes after the United States’ endorsement of the deal, with the State Department lauding it as “a major step forward” in Turkey’s pursuit of advanced military assets. Emphasizing the significance of the partnership between the two nations, the State Department underscored the unparalleled capabilities of the F-16s designated for Turkey.
The transaction required congressional approval, which was secured after the State Department formally notified Congress in January. Additionally, a separate $8.6 billion deal involving the sale of 40 F-35 fighter jets to Greece was also announced as part of the congressional notification process.
However, the approval for the F-16 deal was contingent upon Turkey’s fulfillment of certain conditions, including the submission of instruments of ratification for Sweden’s NATO membership. Despite encountering delays, Turkey’s parliament ratified Sweden’s NATO accession in January.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to participate in the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit in Washington next month. A planned meeting between Erdogan and US President Joe Biden was postponed last month due to scheduling conflicts.
