Pentagon’s statement about ‘Sale of F-16s to Turkey’

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said, “We are eagerly awaiting working with Congress regarding Turkey’s F-16 request.” The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced that the next-generation F-16 fighter jets requested by Ankara are of great importance not only for Turkey but also for NATO.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder evaluated the process regarding Turkey’s request for the purchase of 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits from the United States. Ryder said, “As a strategic NATO ally, we want to continue our cooperation with Turkey to ensure that the Turkish Armed Forces not only protect their own citizens but also have advanced capabilities as an important member of the NATO alliance.”

The Pentagon spokesman expressed their eagerness to continue discussions with the US Congress in the “Foreign Military Sales” process on this matter. Ryder stated that they believed the next-generation F-16s would provide critical capabilities to the Turkish Air Force and emphasized their support for the modernization of the Turkish military.