Turkiye pleased with US F-16 jets deal, says defence minister

Turkiye is pleased with its deal with the United States regarding the procurement of Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and modernisation kits, Defence Minister Yasar Guler has said. The process, added Guler, is continuing as planned,

“We hope the project will be completed without any problems until the last jet is delivered,” explained the minister in written responses to Reuters, pointing out that officials from the two NATO allies are still discussing details of the deal.

Turkiye, said Guler, wants to improve its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), but its priority is fulfilling its responsibilities to NATO. “Our priority is to fulfil our responsibilities to NATO as an important ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus should be that NATO is prepared, determined and strong.”

The SCO is a security, political and economic bloc launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances.

READ: Turkiye nation supports NATO, survey shows