Turkey Signs Agreement to Purchase F-16s from the United States

Turkey has signed a contract with the United States to purchase F-16 fighter jets, after Washington gave the green light for the $23 billion deal following months of negotiations, according to sources in the Turkish Ministry of Defense. The ministry's sources stated on Thursday that "the contract has been signed and delegations from both countries are negotiating the details." Under the agreement, Turkey will receive 40 new F-16 fighter jets, and 79 of its existing aircraft will be upgraded. The U.S. State Department praised last week the "important step forward" through Turkey's acquisition of new F-16s, describing them as "the most advanced aircraft ever produced and available only to close allies and partners."