Exciting news for defense enthusiasts! The Biden administration has officially notified Congress of its plans to move forward with a $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. This comes as part of a strategic move to balance relations between Turkey and fellow NATO ally, Greece.
The sale includes 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s for Turkey and 20 F-35 stealth fighter jets for Greece. The road to this decision wasn’t easy, as Ankara’s delay in ratifying Sweden’s NATO membership had been a major hurdle. However, after 20 months of delay, Turkey finally approved Sweden’s bid, paving the way for the fighter jet sale.
Key congressional committee leaders are now urged to approve the deal promptly. Despite concerns over Turkey’s human rights record and diplomatic issues, the Biden administration is optimistic about addressing these issues through ongoing engagement with Turkish officials.
The clock is ticking, as Congress has 15 days to object to the sale after receiving formal notification. Yet, with no strong indications of opposition, the deals are expected to proceed smoothly.