The Turkish defense chief made the reference to Türkiye’s upcoming purchase of F-16 fighter jets, saying, “In line with the recent positive approach, Türkiye wants to see concrete steps from Washington.”
Thursday, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made the following remarks at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Antti Kaikkonen in the Turkish capital, Ankara: We now anticipate positive and concrete actions from the United States based on these positive approaches. We want the work and the process to be finished as quickly and positively as possible.”
Ankara has indicated that it wants the F-16 sales to be approved by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden as soon as possible after the US Congress removed restrictions on the sales of the F-16 from a defense bill at Türkiye’s insistence.
Akar continued, “We expect all our allies, especially Finland, to support and contribute to Türkiye’s fight against terrorism and the efforts of the Turkish Armed Forces to modernize.”
Akar elaborated, “We have seen the positive approach of our counterparts in the United States from the very beginning on this issue.”
“We have always seen a positive approach from the United States… in meetings between delegations, particularly US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin,” the statement reads.
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NATO’s second-largest army
The sales had been supported by the Biden administration, but some members of Congress who were close to the Greek lobby tried to prevent their approval.
He said, “The necessary contribution” should be made by Türkiye’s allies to support the Turkish Armed Forces’ procurement and modernization efforts, both in the fight against terrorism and to ensure that Ankara can “fully” fulfill its NATO obligations: We are attempting to supply ourselves with supplies from our other allies, but we are running into some constraints.”
Also, he said: I’d like to remind you once more that these limitations will also be lifted.
In October 2021, Ankara requested F-16s and modernization kits.
The sale of 40 jets and modernization kits for 79 warplanes that the Turkish Air Force already owns would be included in the $6 billion deal.
Turkey has long demanded that its NATO allies, as well as potential members of the alliance Sweden and Finland, lift all arms embargoes placed on Turkey, whether they have been declared or not.
Turkey has been a NATO member for more than 70 years and has the second-largest army in the alliance.
Source: AA
