US govt to upgrade Turkey’s F-16 fleet

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed that it is a “national interest and security interest” for the Biden administration to upgrade Turkey’s current F-16 fleet.

When the situation looked all ugly for Turkey, the sudden change in the US policy to sell F-16 to enhance its existing F-16 fleet has shaped up well. Particularly because the whole region is deep in military conflict, the addition of new F-16 will add to the arsenal of Turkey's Air Force. The country has for long been looking for the delivery of F-35s; however, that has not been delivered yet despite part payment.

The favourable developments for Turkey took shape as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that it is a "national interest and security interest" for the Biden administration to upgrade Turkey's current F-16 fleet. The US diplomat also reiterated that since Turkey is part of NATO it is pertinent to add to their military strength.

Turkey wants no preconditions for F-16

Although Blinken said that he will be talking to his Turkey counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, the latter admitted that it is not possible for his country to buy the fighter jets from Lockheed Martin with pre-conditions. Therefore, according to the Turkey Minister, any decision would take place only based on the US government's stand on the issue.

The two countries are discussing the mega deal worth $20 billion that could enhance Turkey's defence preparedness. The Turkish minister elaborated that he discussed a planned multi billion deal for the fourth generation aircraft with Blinken. In what could be the decision action from the Biden government, Turkey wants them to send the formal notification to Congress.

F-35 and Turkey's long wait

F-16s are not the only contentious issue between the USA and Turkey, the F-35 is another bone of contention. The US had expelled Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019 as the latter did not agree to the US demand it not acquire the Russian S-400. The US security experts are of the view that the S-400 ground-based air-defence system could compromise the security of the stealth fighter jet.

Neither Turkey fulfilled the condition from the USA nor did the USA supply any of the F-35 that it had promised despite the fact that Turkey had paid for them. Even now Erdogan keeps on asking the USA to at least pay back the advanced money for the F-35s. Later on though the talks have gone at various levels to resume the supply, things have not come to conclusion. The countries will again be sitting for a talk on the issue in the second quarter of 2023.