MADRID — The United States on Wednesday signaled a renewed willingness to sell upgraded F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, moving closer to meeting the ally’s longstanding demand a day after Turkey dropped its bid. opposition to efforts by Finland and Sweden to join the NATO alliance.
Senior US officials had said hours earlier that President Biden had not negotiated with Turkey in exchange for its support for NATO expansion. A senior administration official told reporters Tuesday night that Turkey did not request the F-16s during negotiations.
But a senior defense official was blunt, if imprecise, when asked by a reporter on Wednesday about the administration’s support for Turkey’s push for a more modern air force.
“Strong Turkish defense capabilities contribute to NATO’s strong defense capabilities,” said Celeste Wallander, Deputy Secretary of Defense. “The US Department of Defense fully supports Turkey’s modernization plans for its F-16 fleet.”
She added that efforts to help Turkey acquire the advanced aircraft “must be worked through our procurement processes,” but she said the United States “supports Turkey’s modernization of its fighter fleet.” , because it is a contribution to the security of NATO, and therefore American”. Security.”
Mr Biden is due to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the presidents would discuss a wide range of topics related to the mutual interests of the two countries. But Ms Wallander’s comments suggested Turkey’s request for F-16s was likely to be a top priority.
The timeline for any potential U.S.-Turkey fighter jet deal is unclear, and a deal would likely require congressional approval.
Bilateral relations with Turkey have been strained for some time, and Turkey has also lost congressional support. Mr. Erdogan has over the years become more authoritarian, more mercurial and more difficult as an ally, while increasing repression at home of political rivals and independent journalism.
He blames an exiled cleric who lives in America – Fethullah Gulen, whom Washington refused to extradite – for an attempted coup in 2016. And Mr Erdogan has played a balancing game with Russia, choosing to purchase a sophisticated missile defense system, the S-400, despite US and NATO opposition.
In response, the United States removed Turkey from any involvement in the newest and most advanced American fighter jet, the F-35, and introduced sanctions. Since then, Turkey has requested the purchase of 40 older fighters – the F-16s, but modernized – as well as modernization kits for another 80 F-16s.
In March, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the State Department wrote to Congress, saying that the sale of the F-16s would be in the national security interests of the United States and would also serve the unity NATO’s long term, but did not explicitly support the agreement. .
The letter acknowledges the strained relations but describes Turkey’s support and defense ties with Ukraine as “an important deterrent against harmful influence in the region”.
Before leaving for this week’s NATO summit in Madrid, Mr Erdogan said the sale of F-16s will be a big issue when he meets Mr Biden. Mr Biden was instrumental in urging Turkey to lift its block on NATO membership applications from Sweden and Finland, which he did on Tuesday night.
nytimes Gt