US Congress changes its anti-Turkish position, US-based Defense News reports. Congress signals the possibility of selling F-16 fighters to Turkey following U.S. President Biden’s letter. The publication notes that lawmakers who pushed for Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program now follow different policies.
Turkey will send a letter to the United States to acquire F-16 Block 70. The F-16 Block 70 talks between two countries were held in March.
The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Bulgaria of F-16 C/D Block 70 fighter and related equipment for $1.673 billion.
After purchasing second-hand fighter jets from Portugal and Norway, Romania will continue to upgrade its air force.
Bulgarian Defence Minister Stefan Yanev stated on January 25 that the delivery of eight F-16 jets would be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar stated that six F-35A Lightning II fighters produced for Turkey are kept in the hangar. Speaking to Turkish daily Milliyet, Akar said the future of these aircraft is also negotiated. Six F-35A Lightning II type fighter jets produced by Lockheed Martin of the USA for the Turkish Air Force Command were not shipped to Turkey due to CAATSA. Emphasizing that a Turkish delegation will go to the USA for the F-35 issue in the coming days, Minister Akar announced that six F-35s produced for Turkey are kept in the hangar.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force's F-35s have officially taken over the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission, which served Norway and NATO for 42 years.
According to the Royal Thai Air Force’s commander-in-chief buying eight F-35 stealth fighter jets from the U.S. would strengthen the country’s defence.
French Minister for Armed Forces Florance Parly announced that Croatia has just inked the deal to acquire 12 Rafale from France from her Twitter account.
SDT Space & Defence Technologies Inc. (SDT) has been awarded a serial manufacturing order for the F-16 Ammunition Training Pod (F-16 MEP), formerly known as the Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) System. The air-air and air-ground combat training pod, which is utilised in the training of Air Force fighter pilots, was nationalised by the firm. The Turkish Air Force has placed an order for 60 units. In addition, the business has begun export discussions. The pod is mounted on F-16 and similar airborne platforms as an external pod form.
According to Danish Radio, Danish Defence intends to sell 16 to 24 of its 43 F-16 fighter jets before the arrival of its complete force of F-35s in 2025.
The SOM-J 5th Generation ASuW Missile had its first live-fire test at the Sinop Firing Range with an F-16C aircraft from the 401st Test Fleet Command.
According to Turkey’s Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın, Turkey did not give up its F-35 fighter planes.
Eight countries attended the Blue Flag Aerial Exercise in Israel. United Arab Emirates Air Chief visited the drill, and eight others flew for the drill.
