The $23 billion package, which will make the Turkish Air Force F-16 fleet one of the world's largest and most homogeneous fleets, required U.S. Congress approval. The Biden administration asked Congress to finalise the contract following Turkiye's agreement with Sweden's membership in the NATO alliance. Congress had 15 calendar days to state their reasons if they opposed this proposed sale. The waiting period is over. During this period, Republican senator Paul Rand made an attempt to introduce a resolution opposing the sale of F-16s to Turkiye.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye Jeffry L. Flake announced the development from the Embassy's social media account; “Congress’s decision this week to approve Turkiye’s acquisition of 40 new and 79 upgraded F-16 aircraft is a great step forward. Turkiye’s F-16 fleet is critical to NATO’s strength, ensuring future interoperability among Allies."
Turkiye will move one step further in bilateral relations with the U.S. and add the aircraft that will respond to the F-35s to be supplied by Greece to its fleet. At this stage, Turkiye may come to the negotiating table with the U.S. again for the purchase of F-35s.
