The US State Department has approved the sale of 40 F-16 fighters and about 80 modernization kits for $23 billion. The State Department sent the official notification to Congress in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

The official notification to Congress of the possible sale and upgrade of F-16 fighters to Turkey

“The State Department has decided to approve a potential military sale to the Republic of Turkey to acquire (new fighters) and modernize (existing) F-16 fighter jets, as well as related equipment, at an estimated cost of $23 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency today submitted the required certification, notifying Congress of this potential sale today.

The Republic of Turkey has requested to purchase 40 new F-16 aircraft and upgrade 79 existing F-16 aircraft to the Viper level.

The request includes: thirty-two (32) F-16 C Block 70 aircraft, eight (8) F-16 D Block 70 aircraft, forty-eight (48) F110-GE-129D engines (40 installed, 8 spares), one hundred forty nine (149) Enhanced Programmable Display Generators (iPDG) (40 installed, 10 spares, 99 for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares)), one hundred forty-nine (149) AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) (40 installed, 10 spares, 99 for modernization program (79 installed, 20 spares)), one hundred sixty nine (169) Modular Mission Computers (MMC) 7000AHC (or available mission computer) (40 installed, 10 spares, 119 for modernization program (79 installed, 40 spares)), one hundred fifty-nine (159) Integrated Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) (EGI) with Selective Anti-Spoof Availability (SAASM) or capability M-Code and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (40 installed, 8 spares, 111 for modernization program (79 installed, 32 spares)), one hundred sixty-eight (168) complete Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) or equivalent Electronic Warfare Systems (EW) (40 installed, 10 spares, 118 for modernization program (79 installed, 39 spares)), eight hundred and fifty-eight (858) LAU-129 guided missile launchers, forty-four (44) M61 Vulcan cannons (40 installed, 4 spares ), sixteen (16) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP), one hundred and fifty-one (151) Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS), nine hundred and fifty-two (952) Advanced Air Missiles- AIM-120C-8 medium-range anti-aircraft missile (AMRAAM), ninety-six (96) AMRAAM guidance units, eight hundred sixty-four (864) GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment 1 (SDB-1), two (2) guided test vehicles GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1, two (2) practice bombs GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1, ninety-six (96) AGM-88B High-Speed ​​Anti-Radiation Missiles ( HARM), ninety-six (96) AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM), ten (10) AARGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), eleven (11) AARGM control sections, twelve (12) AARGM guidance sections, four hundred and one (401) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II, forty (40) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance units, twelve (12) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units , twelve (12) MK82 Inert Filled general purpose bombs, Eight hundred and fifty (850) KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits for GBU-31, two hundred (200) KMU-557 JDAM kits for GBU-31v3, three hundred and eighty four (384) JDAM KMU-559 kits for GBU-32, three (3) JDAM KMU-572 kits for GBU-38 or Laser JDAM GBU-54, one thousand fifty (1,050) FMU-152 fuses. Also included are AMRAAM CATMs. AIM-9X Sidewinder Trainer Missiles and Active Optical Target Detectors (AOTD). HARM control sections, rocket motors and spare warheads. FMU-139 Joint Programmable Fuzes; DSU-38 laser guidance set for GBU-54. rocket canisters. AN/ARC-238 radios. AN/APX-127 or equivalent Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator Transponders (CIT) with function. Helmet-mounted displays with Joint Helmet Mounting Systems (JHMCS) II or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT). Infrared Search and Track (IRST). AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Distribution Systems (CMDS). KY-58 and KIV-78 cryptographic devices. Simple Key Loaders (SKLs), additional secure communications, precision navigation and cryptographic equipment. Flight Mission Planning Systems (FMPS). Enhanced ROVER 6i/6Sis Video Receivers, ROVER Tactical Network Kit and STINGER Multi-Bi-Directional (MBI) Antennas. Common Munitions Integrated Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE). Rackmount Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (RIAIS). Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD). Triple Missile Launcher Adapters (TMLA). Triple Missile Launcher Adapters (TMLA). Major modernization upgrade kits for F-16 Block 40 and Block 50+ aircraft and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modifications.

Post-maintenance aircraft and engine repair and overhaul, engine and aircraft spare parts, consumables and components and repair and repair and return support, aircraft, engine, ground and pilot support equipment. Classified/Unclassified Computer Program Identification Number (CPIN) systems, electronic warfare database support. The estimated total cost is $23 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the air capabilities and interoperability of a NATO ally that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe.

The proposed sale will allow Turkey to expand and modernize its fleet of F-16s as older F-16s near the end of their lives. These new and refurbished aircraft will provide Turkey with a fleet of modernized multi-role combat aircraft that will enable it to provide defense of its airspace, contribute to NATO’s missions to maintain regional security and defend NATO allies, and maintaining interoperability with US and NATO forces; Turkey has F-16 aircraft and will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and services into its Armed Forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not change the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Greenville, SC. The buyer usually asks for offsets. Any compensation arrangement will be determined during negotiations between the buyer and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of additional US Government or contractor representatives to Turkey.

There will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on original requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority and signed sales agreements, if and when they are entered into.”