Firm On F-16 Fighter Jets, Defense Minister Roots: If US Attitude Is Negative, Turkey Looks For Other Alternatives

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. (Wikimedia Commons/VOA)

JAKARTA - Turkey should consider other alternatives to ensure its security, in the event of a negative approach by the United States on a deal for F-16 fighter jets, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said.

Talks are ongoing, Akar said, with a delegation from the Defense Ministry currently in the United States for talks on Turkey's request to buy 40 F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits in exchange for payments Ankara has allocated for the F-35 fighter jet program.

"Our contacts continue to discuss this and similar issues, and a delegation from our ministry is currently in the US", Akar told Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee in the capital Ankara, citing Daily Sabah November 16.

"If the attitude of the United States is negative, Turkey will naturally and naturally evaluate other alternatives to ensure its security in the threat environment in which it is located", Akar said.

As previously reported, Turkey paid $1.4 billion for the F-35 fighter jet, before Washington removed it from the program in 2019 over its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air missile defense system after its bid to acquire the US-made Patriot missile was rejected.

Ankara is demanding reimbursement for its payments, saying it should be used to finance some of its requests to buy F-16s and modernization kits. However, any military sales must be approved by the US Congress, which is known for its anti-Turkey stance that has repeatedly damaged bilateral relations.

Earlier, in a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he had asked President Joe Biden for support so that US lawmakers backed the sale.

President Erdogan said he had seen President Biden's positive approach at Turkey's request.

"While I see President Biden's positive approach on this issue, another aspect of this issue in the House of Representatives and the Senate", said President Erdogan.

Washington can approach the matter positively, Akar said, adding "However, we are following developments (on this matter), as the process will be subject to congressional approval."

If the deal on F-16 fighter jets fails, Ankara is still ready to consider buying Russian-made Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets, officials said.

Akar reiterated that the two NATO allies have agreed to hold a meeting in Washington in the coming period aimed at resolving disputes over the F-35 fighter jet.

The new meeting will follow a round of talks in Ankara in late October when representatives from the Turkish and US defense ministries gather to discuss financial matters.

Discussions were held "for dispute resolution to address remaining issues resulting from Turkey's removal from the F-35 program, which was finalized on September 23", the Pentagon said.