Hulusi Akar announces latest situation around purchase of F-16s from USA

We need F-16 Block-70 jets. At the same time, we need to have the existing F-16s modernized, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, Report informs.

“In this regard, we have launched a process under the Foreign Military Sales program. The process in the US Department of Defense continues with the US State Department," the minister said.

Touching upon the content of a letter sent by the State Department to the Congress on Turkiye, Hulusu Akar said that it contained some positive points: “At the same time, we need to be careful. This is a long process, and we hope it will have a positive outcome."

In a letter to Congress on April 7, the US State Department said it was positive about the sale of the F-16 to Turkiye. The letter also stressed that Turkiye's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity is an important deterrent to harmful elements in the region.

The State Department, which approves arms sales to foreign countries, must determine the administration's approach by responding to congressional inquiries or questions about sales before formally approving the sale.

When the department approves the sale of a relevant weapon, it sends it to Congress with an official notice.

If the US Congress does not object to the State Department's decision within 30 working days, the country's leadership begins negotiations with a country where the sale is approved on the content of the sales package.

At the end of these negotiations, the United States submits a letter of offer to that country, and if the offer is approved, the purchase is made.