According to a new report, the Biden administration is planning to seek congressional permission for a $20 billion sale of new F-16 jet fighters to Turkey, as well as a separate sale of next-generation F-35 jets to Greece, in what would be among the biggest foreign military sales in recent years.
The potential of the sale is intended to compel Turkey to approve Finland and Sweden’s entrance to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Ankara has resisted due to their links to Kurdish separatist organizations.
According to administration sources, Congress’ approval of the transaction is reliant on Turkey’s agreement.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two nations abandoned decades of neutrality by joining NATO last year.
The sale to Turkey, which has been under consideration by the administration for more than a year, is greater than projected.
According to people familiar with the proposals, it comprises 40 new aircraft and kits to refurbish 79 of Turkey’s existing F-16 fleet.
The deal’s notice to Congress will roughly coincide with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s visit to Washington next week.
According to one of the authorities, the transfer to Turkey included more than 900 air-to-air missiles and 800 bombs.
The possible sale of the aircraft may have far-reaching consequences for Washington’s efforts to strengthen ties with two NATO partners in the midst of the Western reaction to Russia’s invasion on Ukraine.
The planned pact with Turkey comes at a time when US-Turkish ties are strained, with Washington also hoping to persuade President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to do more to enforce sanctions against Russia and to accept Finland and Sweden’s admission to NATO.
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