Turkey: Possible US Sale Of F-16 Aircraft – Analysis

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By Jim Zanotti, Patrick Parrish and Clayton Thomas*

In February 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly confirmed that the Biden Administration supports a possible sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Turkey (Türkiye), and has engaged Congress on the issue.

According to January 2023 media reports citing unnamed U.S. officials, the Administration informally notified Congress of its intent to sell 40 new F-16s in the Block 70/72 Viper configuration (F- 16Vs) and Viper upgrade packages for 79 existing fighters, along with 900 air-to-air missiles and 800 bombs, at an estimated total value of $20 billion.

Since Turkey joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1952, U.S.-Turkey cooperation on some issues and differences on others have shaped the two countries’ relationship. Some Members of Congress who have input on a proposed F-16 sale to Turkey have indicated that they expect certain actions from Turkey before they will consider supporting the transaction.

Congressional legislation and oversight have shaped U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation for decades, and Turkey has relied consistently on U.S. imports for complex platforms such as aircraft and helicopters. A number of previously proposed U.S. arms transactions with Turkey (such as for armed drones, air defense systems, and F-16 information sharing and safety upgrades) either have stalled or faced reported congressional holds—perhaps stemming partly from bilateral differences on technology sharing, and partly from tensions over Russia and Syria.

Turkish air capabilities after S-400 controversy

A U.S. F-16 sale to Turkey would likely extend the service life of much of Turkey’s fleet—and ensure its continued interoperability within NATO—while Turkey tries to acquire or design a stealth fighter.

The United States was planning to sell up to 100 F-35s to Turkey until its 2019 acquisition of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air defense system led to a U.S. cancellation of the F-35 transfers. The F-16V could be an interim solution for Turkey, though it lacks the stealth features of the F-35 and may be subject to production backlogs of three years or more.

NATO security considerations and the Swedish and Finnish accession process

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Turkey’s potential to boost NATO militarily amid a European security crisis may have increased the Administration’s interest in an F-16 transaction.

Turkey’s geographic location at the southeastern flank of the alliance gives it a critical role in regional security. It has NATO’s second-largest military and the world’s third-largest F-16 fleet, hosts important allied assets and personnel, and partners in other ways within the alliance, including by contributing to missions that aid Baltic and Mediterranean security.

At the same time, several Members of Congress have argued that Turkish delays in approving NATO accession for Sweden and Finland have threatened alliance unity in countering Russia. Turkey’s approval of both countries’ accession may be necessary before many Members of Congress would consider backing an F-16 sale. While Turkey approved Finland’s NATO membership in March 2023, it might not take action regarding Sweden’s accession before closely contested Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May.

Congressional review process and other key issues

The Administration may consider whether and when to move forward with a formal notification of a proposed F-16 sale to Turkey, possibly in the face of enduring congressional concerns. Within 15 days after formal notification, Congress could block the sale via a joint resolution of disapproval under the Arms Export Control Act.

Congress also can take action at any time, up to the point of final delivery, via the regular legislative process. Some factors that could affect congressional review of a possible F-16 sale—beyond the NATO-related issues described above—include Turkey’s rivalry with NATO ally Greece, Turkey’s role in Syria, and the potential for questions about Turkish domestic governance to undermine NATO decision-making.

Reportedly, the Administration informally notified a possible sale of up to 40 F-35s to Greece at the same time as the Turkey/F-16 informal notification. For the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the House voted to condition potential F- 16 transfers to Turkey on steps discouraging overflights of Greek territory (Section 1271 of H.R. 7900), but the final version (P.L. 117-263) did not include the condition.

Turkish alternatives to F-16s? 

If unable to upgrade their F-16 fleet, Turkish officials might consider Western European alternatives such as Eurofighter Typhoons. However, Turkey may face the following challenges to a Typhoon sale: hesitancy from consortium partner Germany, higher per unit costs, difficulties in transitioning its air force away from its U.S.-origin fleet, and/or potential congressional notification requirements (if it includes U.S.-origin components).

Obstacles to both U.S. and European options could lead Turkey to confront a capability gap in fighter aircraft. A 2022 State Department strategy document argued that “Turkey may be forced to turn to Russia or China” to fill such capability gaps in national defense.

*About the authors:

  • Jim Zanotti, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
  • Patrick Parrish, National Defense Fellow
  • Clayton Thomas, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs

Source: This article was published by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

CRS

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for nearly a century.

4 thoughts on “Turkey: Possible US Sale Of F-16 Aircraft – Analysis

  • April 8, 2023 at 11:54 am
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    If approved and executed, the sale of F16 block 70/72 will probably be the last time Turkiye buying military equipment from US. In the future Turkiye will definitely avoid buying military equipment from US. After all US is/has lost its leading tech edge worldwide. The future of military equipment market will involve a lot of competition and US is also loosing manufacturing competitiveness worldwide.

    Reply
    • April 8, 2023 at 9:08 pm
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      Dude you have lost your mind. Turkiye’s fighter jets and other military equipment is very capable but is no where near as good as American military equipment. They also need American engines to power whatever fighter planes they develop themselves.

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    • April 9, 2023 at 12:22 am
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      Turkey before the earthquake, had glorious ideas and intentions. Neo-Ottoman Expansion, dreams and fantasies like the ridiculous blue homeland ie questioning the sovereignty of Greek Islands, demanding all Greek Islands be demilitarized, whie Turkey stations 90,000 troops on their western coast,, refusing to recognize the EEZ of Crete. refusing to recognize the Republic of Cyprus as a nation, illegally exploring for hydrocarbons in the Greek Aegean and in the Cypriot EEZ. Making daily threats of war to Greece, conducting daily violations of Greek Airspace, by flying warplanes over Greece, This how this rogue nation behaves. Yesterday Ergogan stated that all Muslim nations must unite against Israel….Turkey will get ZERO from the USA….

      Reply
  • April 9, 2023 at 2:58 am
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    The above reminds me of the Greek and Greek Cypriot fantasies back in the 1970’s when they deluded themselves and launched a failed attack on Cyprus. The fantasy consisted that the USA will come to their rescue only to realise that delusions of Greek superiority are just that, a delusion.

    Reply

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