Biden administration reportedly backs Turkey’s $6B F-16 deal request

Turkey’s request for Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to upgrade its existing warplanes is valued at $6 billion (TL 54.02 billion), according to Turkish sources who spoke to two different media organizations Tuesday. Considering U.S. Congress’ opposition to Ankara purchasing arms due to several lingering issues, it was thought that it would be difficult to win approval for the deal, however, reports have said that the new U.S. administration supports it.

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The report said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to hold a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at the upcoming global G-20 summit.

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News of the F-16 purchase plans was also reported by the London-based Middle East Eye (MEE), which cited a Turkish official who said Turkey’s F-16s fleet, if not restored, “could put not only the security of Ankara’s but also NATO’s southern flank at risk.”