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The Biden administration believes a possible sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey could be according to US nationwide safety pursuits and would additionally serve NATO’s long-term unity, the State Division stated in a letter to Congress that fell in need of explicitly supporting the deal.
Turkey made a request in October to america to purchase 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighters and almost 80 modernization kits for its present warplanes. Washington has up to now kept away from expressing any opinion on the sale, saying it must undergo the usual arms gross sales course of.
The sale of US weapons to NATO ally Turkey grew to become contentious after Ankara acquired Russian-made protection missile programs, triggering US sanctions in addition to Turkey’s removing from the F-35 fighter jet program.
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The State Division letter, first reported by Reuters, is dated March 17 and signed by the company’s prime legislative official Naz Durakoglu. She acknowledges the strained relations whereas on the similar time describing Turkey’s help for and protection ties with Ukraine as “an vital deterrent to malign affect within the area.”
Whereas the letter does not present any assurance or a timeline for the sale, it emphasizes that Washington’s punitive actions after Ankara’s buy of the Russian S-400 programs symbolize “a major value paid.”
“The Administration believes that there are nonetheless compelling long-term NATO alliance unity and functionality pursuits, in addition to US nationwide safety, financial and business pursuits which are supported by acceptable US protection commerce ties with Turkey,” the letter stated.
“The proposed sale would require a Congressional notification if the Division of State have been to approve it,” it added.
Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia within the Black Sea, has good relations with each and has hosted talks between the 2 in Istanbul. It has voiced help for Ukraine, however has additionally opposed far-reaching Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the invasion.
Whereas forging shut ties with Russia on vitality, protection and commerce and relying closely on Russian vacationers, Turkey has bought drones to Ukraine, angering Moscow.
The State Division letter was in response to a Feb. 4 letter led by Democratic congressman Frank Pallone and greater than 50 lawmakers from each events urging the Biden administration to reject Ankara’s buy, citing what they are saying is Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s lack of dedication to NATO and his “huge human rights abuses.”
America imposed sanctions on Turkey’s protection trade following its buy of the S-400s.
Ankara had beforehand ordered greater than 100 US F-35 jets, however Washington eliminated Turkey from this system after it purchased the S-400s. Turkey has referred to as the transfer unjust and demanded reimbursement for its $1.4 billion cost. Lockheed Martin Corp makes the F-35 and the F-16.
In a name on March 10, Erdogan instructed US President Joe Biden that it was previous time to raise all “unjust” sanctions on Turkey’s protection trade and that Turkey anticipated its request to buy F-16s to be finalized as quickly as doable.
Learn extra:
Erdogan tells Biden it’s time to raise ‘unjust’ sanctions on Turkey’s protection trade
Turkey, US prepared for try at fixing strained ties
Place on procurement of Russian S-400s unchanged: Turkey’s President Erdogan
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