Biden is asking Congress to approve a new $400 million arms deal that will sell missiles and radar to Turkey for its fleet of F-16 fighter jets
- Biden government grants $400 million in upgrades for Turkish fighter jets
- President Biden has asked Congress to approve the deal in one big move
- Missiles and new radar technology would be delivered to Ankara as part of the deal
- It means a significant boost for relations between NATO members
- It comes as Turkey continues to provide more arms and aid to Ukraine amid Russian invasion
President Joe Biden has officially requested that Congress authorize the sale of upgraded weapon systems, radar and other technical equipment to dramatically improve the capabilities of Turkey’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
The potential deal marks an important development in Ankara-Washington relations and comes as a result of Turkey showing considerable support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has allowed two rounds of Ukrainian-Russian peace talks on Turkish soil while also delivering arms to Ukraine – including the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which has become a highly effective tool for the country’s armed forces.
US officials familiar with the proposal said the Biden administration could use the deal to gauge support in Congress for a separate proposal to sell 40 new F-16s to Turkey, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Relations between Ankara and Washington have been strained since Turkey relied on Russia to provide its air defense systems in 2017.
Members in both houses of Congress are also said to be wary of forging too strong a relationship with Erdogan over concerns about his country’s human rights record, despite last year’s US State Department expressing its desire to end ties with the NATO member to improve.
“Turkey is a key NATO ally and a key regional partner, and the United States is committed to improving relations between our two countries. It is in our interest to keep Turkey anchored in the Euro-Atlantic community,” said a statement issued in August.
President Joe Biden has officially requested that Congress authorize the sale of upgraded weapon systems, radar and other technical equipment to dramatically improve the capabilities of Turkey’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets
US officials familiar with the proposal said the Biden administration could use the deal to gauge support in Congress for a separate proposal to sell 40 new F-16s to Turkey, according to The Wall Street Journal ( a pair of F-16 fighter jets). are pictured in Arizona)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has allowed two rounds of Ukrainian-Russian peace talks on Turkish soil while also delivering arms to Ukraine – including the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which has become a highly effective tool for the country’s armed forces
The deal is expected to be worth around $400 million and will involve the sale of a variety of missiles, advanced radar equipment and other technical upgrades for Turkey’s jet fighters.
Meanwhile, another sale of 40 F-16s to Turkey would likely result in Washington and Ankara forging much closer ties — something the Biden administration is said to be interested in amid fears of an extended period of frosty relations Erdogan could push to cooperate with Russia and China.
Erdogan reportedly first expressed interest in buying a second fleet of F-16 fighters from the US in a phone call with Biden in March.
But several lawmakers on both sides of the ground are opposed to the deal, despite Turkey’s key role in providing arms and aid to Ukraine.
“Turkey is a key NATO ally and as such I am open to allowing them to purchase the F16, but it will take significant convincing. I’m not ready yet,” said Senator Jim Risch, the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee.
The State Department “does not publicly confirm or comment on proposed defense transfers until they have been formally notified to Congress,” a spokesman said.
