The US House of Representatives approved the bill introduced by Republican Frank Pallone, restricting the sale of new F-16 warplanes and F-16 modernization kits to Turkey.
The US House of Representatives signed a scandalous decision regarding Turkey. The bill, which was presented by Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican Frank Pallone, who are known for their closeness to the Greek lobby, and which restricts the sale of new F-16 warplanes and F-16 modernization kits to Turkey, was approved by 179 votes to 244 in the vote held in the House of Representatives.
The draft law stipulates that F-16 sales to Turkey must be confirmed by the President of the United States, that such sales are in line with the national interest, and that Greek airspace will not be violated.
The bill will be added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) bill, which includes the US Department of Defense’s (Pentagon) 2023 budget. US President Joe Biden has the right to veto the bill.
BIDEN SUPPORTED THE SALE OF F-16S TO TURKEY
US President Joe Biden, at the press conference he held after the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit held in Madrid, Spain last month, said that the US should ensure the sale of F-16 warplanes to Turkey, “F-16s “We need to sell it to Turkey. The opposite would not be in our interest,” he said.
THE US FOREIGN DEPARTMENT SENT A LETTER TO THE CONGRESS
In October last year, Turkey made a request from the USA that it wanted to purchase 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and nearly 80 modernization kits for existing warplanes. Last March, the US State Department sent a letter to the US Congress about the sale of the F-16, and it was stated that the sale in question was in line with US interests.
In its letter of recommendation to Congress, the ministry stated that the Biden administration believed that the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey would be in line with the national security interests of the United States and would also serve NATO’s long-term unity.
“The sale of the F-16 is in line with US interests and will serve NATO’s long-term plans,” the letter said. At the same time, Turkey’s support and defense ties to Ukraine are “an important deterrent for malicious acts in the region.” was described as.
“The Biden administration believes that appropriate U.S. defense trade ties with Turkey are essential to the long-term unity and interests of the NATO alliance, as well as to U.S. national security, economic and commercial interests,” the letter said. (UAV)