White House notifies Congress on F-16 equipment sale to Türkiye
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- 18 Apr 2023
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A Turkish F-16 Solotürk jet is seen in the sky in this undated file photo. (AA File Photo)
BY DAILY SABAH WITH AGENCIES APR 17, 2023 7:02 PM
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration officially notified Congress Monday about the planned sale to Türkiye of avionics software upgrades for its current fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. Valued at $259 million (TL 5.02 billion), the deal will move ahead with the sale of the modernization package for Türkiye's aircraft, after leaders of U.S. congressional committees gave informal approval.
A larger agreement, NATO member Türkiye's request to buy billions of dollars worth of F-16s, remains uncertain amid ongoing opposition in Congress. If Congress clears it during the formal approval process, the package would be the first major military sale to Türkiye that Congress has approved for years.
Monday’s approval of the software sale will let Türkiye update the avionics of its existing F-16 fleet. The State Department noted that the upgrade would improve the interoperability between Turkish and NATO systems by updating its communications and also provide upgrades to enhance safety measures such as a ground collision avoidance system.
It called it an “interoperability and basic safety-of-flight issue,” for Türkiye and its allies. "Türkiye is a longstanding and valued NATO ally," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. "The Biden administration supports Türkiye’s efforts to bring the avionics of its F-16 fleet up to standard." The Defense Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the proposed sale "will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve Türkiye's interoperability with NATO and ensure the safety of flight for Türkiye's existing F-16 aircraft."
"The proposed sale will improve Türkiye's capability to meet current and future threats and assist in defending its homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it added. The Defense and Security Cooperation Agency has the job of notifying Congress about the U.S.' official military sales. Read More…
