US to advance small F-16 equipment sale to Turkey, sources say

After congressional committee leaders given informal approval, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration would sell Turkey an F-16 upgrading package, sources said.

Congress continues to oppose NATO member Turkey’s bid to buy billions of dollars worth of F-16s.

Sources claimed the State Department could notify the smaller sale of radars and avionics on Monday.

The package would be Congress’s first significant military sale to Turkey in years if authorized.

State Department spokespersons rejected comment. Before notifying Congress, the department does not comment on defense transfers or sales.

“The United States and Türkiye have deep defense and security ties, and Türkiye’s continued NATO interoperability remains a critical priority,” the spokesperson said. The administration supports Turkey’s fleet modernization efforts.

The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees, who approved the modernization plan during the informal assessment, denied comment.

One U.S. official and another acquainted with the case could only remark that the trade was worth millions of dollars. It follows Turkey’s approval of Finland’s NATO membership and improving tensions with Greece ahead of May 15 Turkish elections.

The plan is separate from Turkey’s October 2021 request for $20 billion in Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-16 jets and approximately 80 modification kits.

One source said the administration pushed senators to support the smaller package to send a “positive signal” to Ankara.

Sources said Congress will not approve the larger deal until Turkey provides assurances on matters beyond Nordic NATO expansion.

Sources stated the issues include ending tensions with Greece, not invading northern Syria, and sanctioning Russia.

Turkey has complained that the US had “endless” F-16 requests and was unfair.