The United States has confirmed a US $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, one of the major developments in the country’s military relations following the ratification by Turkey of Sweden’s membership into NATO.
The agreement includes 40 new Lockheed Martin F-16s and modernization kits for 79 existing jets.
This deal was reached after an extended period of negotiation.
During this Turkey granted Sweden the approval it needed for its NATO bid to move forward.
Ankara had delayed granting its approval earlier as it had some concerns about Sweden’s stance on certain groups that Turkey considered threats to its security.
Sweden has tightened some of its anti-terrorism laws, which may have healed this fray.
The Biden administration has been supportive of the sale, although there have been objections from certain members of Congress regarding Turkey’s human rights record.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his support was tied to Turkey’s position concerning Sweden’s NATO accession.
It is a strategic expansion that in turn came in response to Russian aggression.
Under the agreement, there is a parallel sales agreement on $8.6 billion worth of F-35 fighter jets for Greece as it aims to retain balance between NATO allies.
Therefore, under the deal, Greece will take delivery of 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to enhance military capabilities with Turkey.
Turkey wanted the F-16s because it had been expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems.
That move had strained US-Turkey relations, compelling Ankara to seek elsewhere for its requirements and to engage itself in negotiations with the European countries to provide Eurofighter jets.
The last of the NATO countries whose membership bid is still pending is Hungary.
Since the US and Turkey finally agreed, NATO officers and US diplomats await action from Hungary to proceed as they had with Turkey.