US envoys call for halt to F-16 sales to Turkey
A group of more than 50 representatives from both US parties joined Frank Palon, co-chair of the Armenian Affairs Committee, and Gus Bilirakis, another member of Congress, to attend the ministry, IRNA reported on Saturday. Press the State Department and the US Department of Defense to prevent the sale of the next generation of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
“We urge you to reject Turkey’s request for new F-16s and upgraded kits, and to hold Erdogan’s government accountable,” the congressional letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. (President of Turkey) Take immediate action.
The letter claims that the United States should not provide more support to the Turkish military until Erdogan takes concrete steps to stop destabilizing actions and violations of international law at home and abroad. Records show that he will not change his behavior, as long as the United States uses all diplomatic means, including targeted economic sanctions.
Reports of Turkey’s request to the United States came after US President Joe Biden met with Erdogan on the sidelines of last year’s G20 summit.
The move by Congress is backed by ethnic, religious and foreign policy groups in the United States who are concerned about the security implications of arming Erdogan with US military technology.
Ankara is also under sanctions for purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile system and for cracking down on the Turkish government against Turkish civil society.
The United States has threatened to cancel the contract for the delivery of F-35 fighter jets and impose sanctions on Ankara if it buys the S-400 system.
Turkish Defense Minister Khulusi Akar recently announced that Turkish and US officials are preparing to discuss the delivery of F-35 fighter jets in the near future.
In 2017, Ankara signed an agreement with Moscow to purchase the S-400 missile defense system, and in 2019, several shipments of this system worth 2. Received $ 5 billion.
Turkey has repeatedly stated that equipping the S-400 system would not be in conflict with Ankara’s commitment to NATO membership.
The United States and its allies have said that Turkey’s use of the Russian S-400 system as a NATO member poses a threat to the Western military alliance.