US to back Turkey’s $6bn F-16 deal request

The United States backs Turkey’s $6B F-16 jet deal request as Turkey sent a letter of request on 40 F-16s and 80 modernisation kits, Daily Sabah reports.

According to the report, Turkey’s request for Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and modernisation valued at $6 billion (TL 54.02 billion) will be approved by the  Biden administration.

The report said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to hold a meeting with US President, Joe Biden, at the upcoming global G-20 summit.

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