In a groundbreaking development, the Biden administration has given its nod for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, marking a pivotal moment in the expansion of the NATO alliance. This strategic move comes in the wake of the Turkish government's ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO earlier this week, elevating the alliance's significance amid global geopolitical shifts, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The approval, announced by the State Department, includes a substantial $23 billion deal for F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, complemented by an additional $8.6 billion sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Greece. This decision, made late on a Friday, swiftly followed Turkiye's deposit of the "instrument of ratification" for Sweden's NATO accession in Washington. The move was facilitated after key members of Congress lifted their objections.
Turkiye's F-16 sale comprises 40 new fighter jets and equipment aimed at modernizing 79 of its existing F-16 fleet. Simultaneously, Greece is set to receive 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, along with related equipment, in a deal that further bolsters NATO capabilities in the region.
Notably, Turkiye, a NATO ally, has long sought to upgrade its F-16 fleet and had made the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership contingent on the approval of the sale of these new planes. While the Biden administration had expressed support for the sale, it faced objections from several lawmakers, including Sens. Ben Cardin and Jim Risch, due to human rights concerns.
However, these objections have now been overcome, with officials confirming that commitments made by Turkiye to address human rights issues played a crucial role in the approval process. Sen. Cardin, in a statement on Friday, expressed his continued concerns about Turkiye's rights record but affirmed his agreement to the sale based on Turkiye's commitments to improvement.
“I look forward to beginning this new chapter in our relationship with Turkiye, expanding the NATO alliance, and working with our global allies in standing up to ongoing Russian aggression against its peaceful neighbors,” stated Sen. Cardin.
Turkiye's delay in approving Sweden's NATO membership, lasting more than a year, was attributed to concerns about Sweden's perceived lack of seriousness regarding Turkiye's national security issues, including its fight against Kurdish militants and other groups deemed security threats.
The United States, along with other NATO allies, had been eager to include both Sweden and Finland in the alliance, particularly after the Nordic states abandoned their longstanding military neutrality in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
With Sweden's formal accession to NATO pending approval from Hungary, the last remaining NATO ally yet to sanction its membership, expectations are high. U.S. and NATO officials anticipate Hungary to act swiftly, especially in the wake of Turkiye's decision, marking a significant stride in the ongoing evolution of NATO alliances.
The approval of the F-16 fighter jets sale not only signifies a crucial milestone in the expansion of NATO but also underscores the intricate diplomatic and strategic efforts involved in balancing security concerns and human rights considerations on the international stage. The Biden administration's green light for these deals sets the stage for enhanced capabilities within the alliance and collaborative efforts to address global security challenges.
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