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US lawmakers call on Biden’s administration not to sell F-16 fighters to Turkey
The Texas News Today reported according to Reuters, Democratic and Republican U.S. lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden’s administration not to sell F-16 fighters to Turkey and said they are confident that Congress will block such exports.
In a letter to Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 11 members of the House of Representatives say Turkey could buy 40 new Lockheed Martin F-16s and 80 F-16 modernization kits. He raised “deep concern” about his recent report.
The report said that the letter was dated October 25th and was reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.
The lawmakers wrote: “Following President Erdogan’s September announcement that Turkey will purchase an additional tranche of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, national security by sending U.S.-made aircraft to treaty allies that continue to behave like enemies. I can’t afford to jeopardize it."
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The White House and the Department of State did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
Ankara had previously ordered more than 100 Lockheed Martin F-35s, but the United States removed Turkey from the program in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S-400.
The letter was led by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and Democratic Rep. Carolyn Malliotaki.
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The letter said: “We are confident that Congress will work together to block such exports if these plans progress, but the United States cannot afford to transfer advanced military equipment to the Turkish government at this time."
NATO’s allies have partnered with the past five over close ties between Syria, Ankara and Moscow, naval ambitions in the Mediterranean, US accusations against the state-owned Turkish Bank, and disagreements over the erosion of rights and freedoms in Turkey. I experienced confusion over the years
Source: texasnewstoday
