Turkey has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 80 modernization kits from the United States in a $23 billion deal, the US State Department announced Thursday.
U.S. proud to announce today a major step forward in Türkiye’s purchase of new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets – the most advanced F-16 ever made, available only to closest Allies and partners. Just the latest example of U.S. enduring commitment to security partnership with Türkiye. pic.twitter.com/Re2QOeCnYM
— Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State (@StateDeptPM) June 6, 2024
The Turkish Defense Ministry in May confirmed the conclusion of its deliberations on the sale. The Biden administration formally endorsed the sale in January after Turkey approved Sweden’s NATO membership.
Today marks an important step forward in Türkiye’s purchase of the latest-generation F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and upgrades to its existing fleet of F-16s. This is good for U.S. national security, Turkish national security, and NATO interoperability. pic.twitter.com/azVIaCZyQD
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) June 6, 2024
US Ambassador to Turkey Jeff Flake hailed the development, noting it marks an important step in Turkey’s purchase of the latest-generation fighter jets. “This is good for U.S. national security, Turkish national security, and NATO interoperability,” Flake posted on social media.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller acknowledged the long negotiation process, saying, “We glad to see it’s moving forward.” Along with the purchase, Turkey is seeking joint production of some F-16 parts and reimbursement of $1.4 billion put down for F-35 fighter jets before its removal from the program in 2020.
The Turkish Defense Ministry said the procurement process “continues positively” but did not provide further details.
Turkey’s bid to buy new F-16s dates back to 2020, following its exclusion from the F-35 program due to its acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, in line with the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The recent green ,light by Turkey for the NATO expansion has helped thaw relations between Ankara and Washington, strained over disagreements on various issues, including US support for Kurdish fighters in Syria.