Biden to convince US Congress for Turkey’s F-16 request
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister informed the Turkish Parliament that Biden words to Erdogan in clear terms that he would convince the US Congress to approve Turkey’s F-16 request after Ankara ratifies Sweden’s NATO bid.
For many analysts, Turkey shouldn’t be pursuing the F-16 dream any more and should work on diversifying it’s air power with possibly Typhoons and if not then Chinese J-10’s. For neutrals, Turkey can let Sweden join NATO if other issues asides the requests on F-16s are met but definitely not rely on US at all.
F-16 Opposition in Turkey
In other to analyze the perception of those against the F-16 pursuit who believe that this could be another trap for Erdoğan which he must not fall into. If one thing Turks learned from Afghanistan and Iraq, It’s never to trust Americans. First, American congress isn’t controlled by Biden and congressmen don’t vote as a collective and personal convictions. The atmosphere in Washington seem to have a fundamental bias against Türkiye and believe it’s already in bed with Russia considering the refusal to stop purchases of Russia’s S400. That said, No promise made by Biden is binding to the congress. America is not Türkiye
It doesn’t make sense to trust Biden. It is highly likely that Biden would go back on his ‘word’ when Sweden’s membership would already be ratified, or he may be unable to convince congress that Turkey needs those F-16’s.
Fuat Oktay Says F-35 Constantly Malfunctions
Former Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay today at the Parliament argued that Turkey is no longer interested in F-35s “due to the reports of constant malfunctioning.” The country’s interest in the F-16 isn’t wading off soon. The Turkish government’s purchase of Russian S-400/SA-21 Growler SAM’s caused sanctions to be imposed on Turkey by the United States for violating CAATSA regulations. It also got the Turkish government kicked out of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program of which they used to be a part of.
Turkey’s F-16 Request
The TAF is now seeking up to 40 units of the Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper Block 70 as a replacement for the F-35A Lighting II which has been denied them. It remains to be seen if the Americans would allow the sale of even that to the Turkish government or if the older generation fighter will continued to be exempted from them after Sweden’s NATO bid ratifications.
According to CNN TURK, Turkey made a request to the United States in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes to update its air force after the purchase of F-35s fell through.
Apparently, Biden is banking on the Turkey’s approval for the ascension of Sweden to NATO to mediate in the 20 billion dollars arms deal debate at the US congress.
Turkey was ready for the more advanced F35 but got cancelled due to the US policy of not shipping F35s to countries with Russian or Chinese made air defenses.
The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Tuesday 13th of December 2023 was expected to approve Sweden’s bid to join NATO, days after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked the Nordic country’s admission on U.S. approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, the matter which subsequently did not form the agenda of the day and is expected to be in the first parliamentary plenary of January 2024.
Meanwhile there’s a widespread believe that a possible scenario that will indicate Turkiye is likely about to approve Sweden’s NATO membership bid is when Hungary does so first. The 2 countries seem to be cooperating on the issue considering what happened with Finland in early 2023.
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