F-16 Sale Confirmed: Turkey Signs Acceptance Letter Last Minute
US Ambassador Jeffry Flake has recently announced a major step forward in the sale of new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to Turkey. This development has been welcomed as a positive advancement for both the national security of the United States and Turkey, as well as for the interoperability of NATO.
The US State Department has confirmed that Turkey has accepted an offer letter for the purchase of the F-16s, although the contract has not yet been finalized. Technical details such as production locations, pricing, and parts have been discussed, with negotiations ongoing. The delivery of the F-16s is expected to take place in 2028, with the first installment of payment to be made immediately after the contract is signed.
The decision to sell F-16 jets to Turkey was approved in January by the US government, following Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership. This $23 billion agreement includes the purchase of 40 new F-16s and the refurbishment of the 79 existing jets in Turkey’s fleet. The final approval by Congress was contingent upon Turkey’s official consent to Sweden’s NATO membership.
In contrast, the US chose to sell 40 F-35s worth 8.6 billion dollars to Greece, highlighting the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 production process in 2019 was a result of its purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia, a decision that strained its relations with the US.
With these recent developments, the procurement of F-16s by Turkey marks a significant step forward in its defense capabilities and underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in the international arena.
