ANKARA
The United States’ sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye is not subject to any conditions as claimed by Greek media, Turkish sources said, stressing that these fighter jets will be used in accordance with the security needs of the Turkish armed forces.
“Contrary to what some Greek media claim, the issue of purchasing and modernizing (existing fleets) of F-16s by Turkey is not subject to any conditions,” the statement said. Defense Ministry sources told reporters on February 1.
Some Greek news sites claimed that the United States had agreed to deliver 40 new F-16s to Turkey on the condition that they not fly over Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.
The US administration notified the US Congress of the sale of 40 F-16s and 79 modernization kits to Turkey on January 26, the day it did the same for the sale of F-35s to Greece.
Sources said work for delivery of the requested fighter jets and munitions will begin as soon as Congressional approval is obtained. The US Congress has 15 days to express its objections to the sale of military equipment. It will be automatically approved if there are no objections from members of the US Congress.
No changes to the S-400 and F-35 saga
The sources also responded to questions about recent statements by US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, who suggested that Washington would be happy to see Turkey return to the F-35 consortium if it resolved the long-standing issue of Turkish deployment of F-35s. Russian S-400 air defense systems.
“This issue has been widely debated. At the moment, there is no change in the position of either side. These statements by the United States should be read as a declaration of goodwill,” the sources stressed.
Turkey was excluded from the F-35 joint fighter project in 2019 after deploying the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. The United States says the S-400’s radar systems would jeopardize the safety of the F-35. Washington has rejected Ankara’s demands to launch a joint technical study on US concerns. The United States also seized F-35s that Turkey had already paid for.
Washington emphasizes that it has not changed its view that the use of F-35s near the S-400s would endanger the flight safety of the fifth generation fighter jets.
“All allies should lift the arms embargo”
The sources also responded to questions about Turkey’s intentions to supply Eurofighter jets, the product of a consortium formed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Italy.
“Our request is there. We expect a positive response from Germany as a member of the consortium,” the sources stressed. Other members of the consortium appear willing to deliver the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, but Germany has an ongoing arms restriction. sales in Türkiye since 2019.
The sources indicated that Turkey’s work on supplying these fighters would continue.
Asked about Canada’s decision to end its arms embargo against Turkey, the sources stressed that all allies should follow Canada. “We welcome Canada’s latest measure, but at the same time we expect our allies to lift all kinds of restrictions on Turkey.”
Following Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s membership in NATO, Canada announced that it is authorizing the sale of military equipment to Turkey. Canada supplied high-tech drone cameras to Turkey.
