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Jan 28, 2024

USA Lifts Freeze on Massive F-16 Deal with Turkey, Approves F-35s for Greece in Significant Geopolitical Maneuver


Following Turkey’s parliament endorsement of Sweden’s NATO application, the Biden administration has informed Congress that it is reviving a significant deal with Turkey. This deal entails supplying 40 new F-16 fighters and upgrading an additional 79 aircraft already in service, estimated at a staggering $23 billion.

Simultaneously, the administration has greenlit Greece, Turkey's regional rival, to become a part of the F-35 program. Greece is potentially set to acquire 40 F-35 conventional take-off and landing variants for $8.6 billion.


These parallel approvals mark the culmination of a major geopolitical struggle involving all three nations. Additionally, they coincide with Sweden's aspirations to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics

The delay in Turkey's acquisition of F-16s had been a significant point of contention between Ankara and Washington. Turkey's pursuit of new and upgraded F-16s dates back several years, following its expulsion from the US-led international F-35 program in 2020 due to its procurement of advanced Russian radars. In the same year, Defense News reported that American lawmakers quietly halted all major arms sales to Turkey, including upgrades for F-16s.

More recently, Turkey linked the US approval of F-16s to the lifting of its opposition to Sweden's NATO membership. Turkey, along with Hungary, had obstructed Sweden's NATO bid for months. Following Turkey's parliament's approval of Sweden's accession earlier in the week, President Joe Biden reportedly urged Congress to approve the F-16 deal shortly thereafter.

While the Biden administration resisted any official connection between the two issues, key members of Congress openly stated that no F-16s would be approved until Turkey addressed the NATO question. Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin emphasized that his approval of Turkey's request to purchase F-16 aircraft was contingent on Turkey's endorsement of Sweden's NATO membership.

However, Cardin said: “While Turkey plays a critical role in the region as a NATO ally, there is an urgent need for improvement on its human rights record, including the unjust imprisonment of journalists and civil society leaders, better cooperation on holding Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine, and on lowering the temperature in its rhetoric about the Middle East.”

According to the State Department, Turkey's acquisition of new Lockheed Martin-made planes and the modernization effort, along with various supporting equipment and services, "will advance the foreign policy objectives and national security interests of the United States by enhancing the air capabilities and interoperability of a NATO Ally that contributes to political and economic stability in Europe."

While State Department approval is significant, it does not represent the final decision, and lawmakers retain the ability to intervene in potential deals. However, the public support from figures like Cardin suggests that the Biden administration likely anticipated minimal resistance in Congress when making the announcement.

Turkey is currently working on developing its domestically manufactured next-generation fighter aircraft, known as the KAAN. However, analysts have indicated that the KAAN is still several years away from being operational. In the meantime, Ankara has been eager to address its "fighter gap" that was expected to widen as its existing fleet of F-16s aged.

The simultaneous approval of Turkey's fighter clearance and Greece's anticipated F-35 purchase comes as no surprise, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two historical rivals.

“The F-35 will offset the increasing obsolescence of other Hellenic Air Force aircraft such as the F-4 and Mirage 2000. Greece will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the State Department said.

Greece submitted its formal request for F-35s in June 2022, a move that was expected to receive approval from the US. However, there were concerns that this decision could potentially strain relations between the United States and Turkey.

Lockheed Martin has maintained a dedicated webpage since 2022 outlining the potential for Greek F-35s, emphasizing the aircraft's readiness as the optimal solution for the Hellenic Air Force.

Before Greece's involvement, a total of 17 nations had participated in the development of the F-35 or had procured the aircraft.


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