Turkey requests purchase of F-16 jets from the US 

Turkey has made a request to its NATO ally, the United States, to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets, reports Reuters.

According to the report, Turkey is looking to modernise its air force after the purchase of F-35 jets fell through.

The order needs to be approved by the US State Department as well as the US Congress which can block deals.

“As a matter of policy, the department does not confirm or comment on proposed defence sales or transfers until they have been formally notified to Congress,” a spokesman for the State Department said.

Ankara has been removed from the US’s F-35 jets programme due to its S-400 partnership with Russia.

Also, Ankara’s purchase of the S-400s has triggered US sanctions.

In 2020, Washington blacklisted Turkey’s Defence Industry Directorate, its chief, Mr Ismail Demir, and three other employees.

READ: NATO chief says Turkey won’t abandon Russia defence system