US lawmakers urge Biden against F-16 deal with Turkey

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Democratic and Republican US lawmakers urged Joe Biden’s administration not to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, expressing confidence that Congress would block such a deal.

Eleven members of the House of Representatives cited a profound sense of concern about recent reports that Turkey may purchase 40 new F-16s produced by Lockheed Martin and 80 modernization equipment for the same model.

This came in a letter addressed to Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 25, according to Reuters.

“Following Turkey’s announcement of purchasing an additional tranche of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, we cannot afford to compromise our national security by sending US-manufactured aircraft to a treaty ally that continues to behave like an adversary,” the lawmakers wrote.

“We are confident that Congress will stand together to block any such exports should these plans progress, the United States cannot afford to transfer any advanced military equipment to the government of Turkey at this time,” the letter said.

A State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on correspondence with Congress, as the White House hasn’t respond to the lawmakers’ request yet.

Ankara had previously ordered more than 100 F-35s, also produced by Lockheed Martin, but the United States removed Turkey from the program after it acquired Russian S-400 missiles.

Over the past years, the partnership between the two NATO members has gone through difficult times, due to differences over Syria and Ankara’s ties with Moscow.