Anadolu Agency
December 12, 2022

US’ F-16 sale to Türkiye critical for NATO’s deterrence, defense: Vice President

Ankara expects Washington to go on with the sale of the F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye as it is important for the deterrence of NATO, Vice President Fuat Oktay said Monday.

“The importance of defense cooperation between Türkiye and the U.S. is obvious. Our request for F-16 procurement and modernization is an opportunity to further strengthen our defense relations,” Oktay noted.

“Meeting our demand as soon as possible is critical not only for Türkiye, but also for NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities,” the vice president said during the video message addressing the Turkish-American Business World Awards Ceremony.

Oktay said Türkiye is pleased with the support of the U.S. administration toward the request, adding: “We expect the Congress to play a positive role in this process.”

Türkiye hailed the recent U.S. move to exclude certain provisions in the final text of the U.S. defense budget on the sale of F-16s to Ankara….

Ankara requested F-16s and modernization kits in October 2021. The $6-billion deal would include the sale of 40 jets, as well as modernization kits for 79 warplanes that the Turkish Air Force already has in its inventory.