Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey
STORY: Joe Biden is eager to begin selling F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
The US President on Wednesday sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to approve the deal “without delay” according to a US official.
In 2021, Turkey asked to purchase $20 billion worth of Lockheed Martin F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
The deal had been on hold pending Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership.
But after 20 months of delay, Turkey’s parliament ratified the membership on Tuesday, clearing a hurdle for congressional approval of the deal and the expansion of the Western military alliance.
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday urged Turkey to finalize Sweden's NATO membership.
To do that, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan needs to sign the legislation.
State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel noted Congress’ role in the F-16 deal, and declined to provide an exact timeline.
“We also recognize that Congress has a key role in reviewing arms sales. But I'm just not going to confirm or get ahead of proposed defense sales or transfers until they are formally notified to Congress.”
Key congressional committees review every major foreign arms sale.
They regularly ask questions or raise concerns over human rights or diplomatic issues that can delay or stop such deals.
In an interview with Reuters, Senate Foreign Relations committee member Chris Van Hollen expressed doubt on a speedy approval, saying lawmakers first need assurances from the Biden administration and Turkey, which he cast as an “unfaithful NATO ally,” while raising concerns about Erdogan’s human rights record.
