Türkiye Shifts Focus to F-16 Warplanes Over F-35s, President Erdogan Affirms

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Türkiye has redirected its attention towards the enhancement of F-16 warplanes, opting for a strategic focus on these aircraft rather than the F-35s. The President conveyed this decision during a press briefing at the headquarters of his AK Party in Ankara on Monday.

“We are locked on the F-16s rather than the F-35s,” President Erdogan stated, shedding light on Türkiye’s strategic direction in the realm of military aviation. He elaborated on discussions held with US senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Murphy, during their recent visit to Türkiye. The talks centered around delineating the course of action concerning the F-16s.

President Erdogan highlighted ongoing dialogues between the Turkish government, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and their counterparts in the United States regarding the F-16 warplanes. This underscores Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining open communication channels and fostering cooperation in matters of national defense.

The backdrop of this shift in focus includes the recent approval by the US State Department of a substantial $23 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Türkiye. The approval came after Türkiye granted consent to Sweden’s NATO membership, showcasing the diplomatic intricacies surrounding the transaction.

In October 2021, Türkiye formally requested 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and 79 modernization kits from the United States. This request is part of Türkiye’s comprehensive strategy to upgrade its existing F-16 fleet to the advanced Block 70 level, reflecting the nation’s commitment to bolstering its air defense capabilities.