Biden asks Congress to approve a new $400 million arms deal to sell missiles and radar to Turkey for its fleet of F-16 fighters.
- The Biden administration awards $400 million worth of upgrades to Turkish fighter jets
- President Biden asked Congress to approve the deal in a major move
- The agreement would see new missiles and radar technology delivered to Ankara
- It represents a major boost to relations between NATO members
- This comes as Turkey continues to provide more arms and aid to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion
President Joe Biden has formally requested that Congress approve the sale of upgraded weapons systems, radar and other technical equipment to significantly improve the capabilities of Turkey’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
The potential deal represents a major development in relations between Ankara and Washington, and comes as a result of Turkey showing significant support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan allowed two rounds of Ukraine-Russia peace talks to be held on Turkish soil while supplying weapons to Ukraine – including the Bayraktar TB2 drone that has become a highly effective tool for the country’s armed forces.
US officials familiar with the order said the Biden administration could use the deal to gauge the level of support in Congress for a separate proposal to sell 40 new F-16s to Turkey, according to a report. Wall Street Journal.
Relations between Ankara and Washington have been strained since Turkey relied on Russia to provide it with air defense systems in 2017.
It is also said that members of both houses of Congress are wary of having too strong a relationship with Erdogan amid concerns about his country’s human rights record, even though the US State Department announced its desire to improve relations with the NATO member last year.
Turkey is a major NATO ally and an important regional partner, and the United States is committed to improving the relationship between our two countries. It is in our interest to keep Turkey linked to the Euro-Atlantic community,” said an August statement.
President Joe Biden has formally requested that Congress approve the sale of upgraded weapons systems, radar and other technical equipment to significantly improve the capabilities of Turkey’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
U.S. officials familiar with the order said the Biden administration could use the deal to gauge the level of support in Congress for a separate proposal to sell 40 new F-16s to Turkey, according to The Wall Street Journal. (A pair of F-16s. Photographed in Arizona)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan allowed two rounds of Ukraine-Russia peace talks to be held on Turkish soil while supplying weapons to Ukraine – including the Bayraktar TB2 drone that has become a highly effective tool for the country’s armed forces.
The deal is expected to be worth around $400 million and will include the sale of a variety of missiles, advanced radar equipment and other technical upgrades fitted to the Turkish jet fighters.
Meanwhile, the sale of 40 F-16s to Turkey is likely to lead to the development of closer ties between Washington and Ankara — something the Biden administration has been said to be interested in amid fears that a prolonged period of frosty relations could lead Erdogan to enter into a conflict. Partnership with Russia and China. .
Erdogan reportedly first expressed interest in purchasing a second fleet of F-16 fighters from the United States in a phone call with Biden in March.
But many lawmakers on both sides oppose the deal even though Turkey plays a major role in providing arms and support to Ukraine.
Turkey is an important NATO ally, and so I’m open to letting them buy the F16, but it would take a lot of persuasion. “I’m not there yet,” said Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee.
“It does not publicly confirm or comment on proposed defense transfers until they are formally notified to Congress,” a State Department spokesperson said.
