Turkish Defense Minister: We have received a signal from the United States that it is ready to supply us with F-16 fighter jets, but deliveries have not yet begun

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, at a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Antti Kaikkonen in Ankara, called on allies in the North Atlantic Alliance, including Finland, to make more efforts in the fight against terrorism. According to the head of the defense department, this should be facilitated by the modernization of the Turkish Armed Forces.

We have already somehow encountered restrictions from our allies in regard to the supply of weapons. On the contrary, I consider it necessary to deepen cooperation in the defense sphere, leaving behind any restrictions in this regard. A powerful Turkish army will make a significant contribution to NATO security

Akar noted.

The minister also mentioned the issue of further deliveries of American-made F-16s, noting that the process of additional purchases of 40 such aircraft, as well as the modernization of 79 existing fighters, will be completed soon. According to him, Ankara received a clear signal from its US partners on this issue, in particular, from the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, but so far the deliveries have not started.

At the same time, the Turkish Minister of National Defense stressed that the destruction of terrorists, including with the help of F-16s, is the main priority for his country. In this regard, Ankara calls on the United States to start supplying its fighters for the needs of the Turkish Air Force as soon as possible.

Recall that earlier the Turkish authorities announced that they would support the entry of Finland and Sweden into NATO only if they fulfill a number of conditions, in particular, a ban on the activities of organizations that are recognized as terrorist in Turkey. Among them are the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as well as the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, an organization of the Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen FETÖ, who is accused of being involved in the development of the coup plan, which almost cost Erdogan not only his chair, but also his life. Gülen is in the United States, and Washington leaves all Turkish requests for his extradition unanswered.

Comments

[Zaurbek]

For the Turks, in principle, the only risk is that the United States may not return the money (and they are still paid for F35) ..... otherwise they will not sell F16, there is even in the West Rafal, EF2000, Grippen, South Korea. .....And on the other side of the J-10|11.....Su30/35. And everyone will sell with pleasure.

[cold wind]

Naturally, all questions are about money. A new type of fighter is a huge waste. They need to close the period until the 30s, when their fighters and jet UAVs go into production. Accordingly, it is logical to buy the F-16, especially since the 70/72 block turned out to be excellent.

[Zaurbek]

Well, there is a big market for used aircraft. The same, quite modern, F16. The Turks have paid their money long ago...and the US has it on the hook. If the same question is considered as an ordinary purchase, then the Turks showed how they solved the problem with long-range air defense systems.

[Mavrikiy]

Ankara received clear signal from their US partners on this issue, in particular, from US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, however, deliveries have not yet begun.

Kindergarten, junior group. You need to crow not on a signal, but when the sun rises .... Or at least papers are signed ... Here's a good quote, too:

We detectives must think in terms of nouns and verbs: "he met," "she said," "he transmitted."

[seregatara1969]

Got a signal! A strange name for an ordinary letter or message!

[Ivan Ivanov]

Buy the Turks, of course. Otherwise, why suddenly readiness after a long unavailability?

[rotmistr60]

Sooner or later, but we will agree, and on what conditions we will see. To be honest, F-16s in Turkey are somehow of little concern today. More worried about what else the Americans and their "allies" will deliver to the Ukrainian regime.

[novel66]

Gülen is in the US, and Washington leaves all Turkish requests for his extradition unanswered

It is time to raise the question of the presence in NATO of the United States, a state that covers terrorists

[APASUS]

Sometimes I marvel at the Turks. Are they naive or do they think they've outwitted everyone? Now the Americans will demand concessions, they will play for time, additional conditions and guarantees ...............they have already gone through all this, but they believe the Americans.

[iouris]

Turks are the same Germans.
By the way, bosses, you played too much in the "Turkish direction".
Oh, what a great disappointment awaits you ahead! And again it will be "kaka in the mouth, but the money is gone."
Or it may turn out differently: "I got up early this morning - there is no Recep Erdogan: here it is, here's the junta's work!"

[opposite28]

We have already somehow encountered restrictions from our allies in regard to the supply of weapons. On the contrary, I consider it necessary to deepen cooperation in the defense sphere, leaving behind any restrictions in this regard. A powerful Turkish army will make a significant contribution to NATO security

Akar noted.

Namely, a powerful Turkish army ...