The Biden administration has asked U.S. congressional leaders to approve the sale of advanced weapons systems and other equipment to its F-16 fighter jet fleet. Turkeysaid US officials, cited by the Wall Street Journal.
According to the newspaper, Washington is thus preparing the ground for an upcoming proposal to sell additional aircraft to Ankara, which seeks to redefine its relations with Washington.
The proposed arms sale, sent to congressional leaders last month, highlights the way in which Turkey seeks to use its role as mediator in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and support for the Ukrainian military as a means to an end. to restore relations with Washington and acquire sophisticated weapons.
The possible deal will include missiles, radar and electronic systems for Turkish F-16s, signaling a major upgrade for Turkish fighter jets.
Turkey has hosted two rounds of talks between Kiev and Moscow, and has also supplied armed drones to Ukraine and barred some Russian warships from entering the Black Sea. These moves have resulted in a warming of relations with Washington and more frequent contacts with US officials, the American newspaper reports.
U.S. officials familiar with the request said the government could use the missile deal to “measure” the level of support in Congress for a separate proposal to sell 40 new F-16s to Turkey, an outraged NATO ally. some officials in Washington over its ties to Russia.
US and Turkish officials have argued in favor of the F-16 deal, arguing that it could help restore US-Turkish relations, which have been hit hard by Ankara’s choice to buy S-400s from Russia.
Some US lawmakers, including senior Democrats in both houses of Congress, oppose the sale of the aircraft, citing objections to Ankara’s ties with Russia and human rights concerns in Turkey.
The sale of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, AIM-120 Amraam missiles, along with radar and other equipment, will cost Turkey more than $ 400m, said an official familiar with the proposal.
The State Department “does not publicly confirm or comment on the proposed defense transfers until they are formally notified to Congress,” a spokesman said, adding that the Turkish Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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