The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of F-16 fighter jet equipment to Turkey for an estimated $259 million. Sources revealed that the Biden administration is preparing to move forward with a small upgrade package for Turkey's current fleet of F-16s after congressional committee leaders gave informal approval for the sale.
Sources indicated that the State Department could formally notify Turkey of the sale package today, which includes radars and aircraft electronics. An official spokesperson for the State Department stated that the U.S. and Turkey maintain strong defense and security relations, and Turkey's ongoing engagement within NATO remains a critical priority, adding that the U.S. administration supports Turkey's efforts to modernize its fleet.
Democratic and Republican leaders on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee also refrained from commenting on the deal after approving the upgrade package during the informal review. One source noted that the smaller package was approved after the administration urged legislators to agree to it to send a "positive signal" to Ankara.
Additionally, the approval does not guarantee that a larger sale will receive congressional approval, as U.S. lawmakers seek assurances from Turkey on issues beyond NATO expansion to Nordic countries, including concerns about permanently easing tensions with neighboring Greece, halting incursions into Northern Syria, and enforcing sanctions against Russia. This comes after Turkey agreed to Finland's NATO membership, with signs of de-escalating tensions between Turkey and Greece ahead of the Turkish elections scheduled for May 15.
