Turkey Receives Draft from the US Regarding F-16 Fighters

Turkish Defense Ministry spokesman Admiral Zeki Akturk noted today, Thursday, that "the United States has sent Turkey a draft letter of offer and acceptance regarding its request to purchase F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and modernization equipment." Akturk stated: "Our ministry has received a draft letter of offer and acceptance from the United States concerning the sale of 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and 79 kits for the modernization of the planes, as well as additional munitions and equipment. We have already begun the necessary review and evaluation process." Turkey submitted this request in October 2021, following its exclusion from the F-35 fifth-generation fighter program by the United States due to its purchase of a Russian missile defense system. The U.S. administration finally agreed to finalize the deal, which had been delayed after a series of negotiations following Ankara's approval of Sweden's NATO membership. The deal was considered final earlier this month when Congress did not block the sale within 15 days.