US wants to move ahead with fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet sale to Turkey

The United States does not intend to abandon the sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force. About

This was stated by John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council.

What is known

According to Kirby, Joe Biden's positionhasn't changed. The US wants to move forward on this issue. He added that journalists should contact Senator Bob Menendez's office or "the people on Capitol Hill" for more information.

In the meantime, the United States cannot finally approve orto prohibit the potential sale of aircraft, Turkey was able to upgrade the first F-16 fighter to the Block 70/72 level on its own. As part of the ÖZGÜR project, the Block 30 aircraft was improved.

Modernization involves the installationan active phased array radar from Aselsan, a new digital cockpit and a Turkish analogue of the Link 16 communications system. The upgraded F-16 can carry 20 Turkish missiles, including Merlin and Peregrin, which are designed to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM.

In addition to Block 30, Turkey plans to improve Block 40 and Block 50 aircraft. In total, more than 200 fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters will be upgraded.