Breaking news: The US State Department made an official notification to Congress regarding the sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and the modernization of existing F-16s. In the written statement made by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, it was stated that the US State Department sent the official notification to Congress approving the sale of 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 79 F-16 modernization kits to Turkey.
The statement said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made its decision approving the purchase and modernization of F-16s and the sale of related equipment worth approximately 23 billion dollars to the Republic of Turkey.” Statements were made and it was noted that the Defense Security Cooperation Agency forwarded the relevant certification to Congress today.
In the statement, it was emphasized that the sale of F-16s to Turkey is important for NATO’s security and stability, and it was stated that 40 new F-16 fighter jets and 79 F-16 modernization kits as well as related equipment will be supplied to Ankara.
In order for the arms sale to take place, there must be no objections from Congress to the sales notification submitted by the US administration.
APPROVAL OF THE SALE BY THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
In addition, Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has the task of supervising arms sales to foreign countries, announced that he would approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey.
Michael McCaul, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, who made a statement on the subject at the same time, stated that he was pleased with the approval of Sweden’s NATO membership by Ankara and that they would approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey in the current situation.
CONGRESS HAS 15 DAYS TO EVALUATE
The US Congress has a legal period of 15 days to evaluate the sale, and if there is no objection within this period, the sale is officially realized.
According to the relevant law, the period in question is 15 days for NATO member countries and 30 days for non-NATO countries.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee have the right to evaluate and, if any, object to arms sales to foreign countries.
Turkey had requested 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and modernization kits for 79 aircraft in its inventory from the USA. Last year, some members of Congress removed additional articles stipulating the sale of F-16s from the US Department of Defense Budget bill.
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