Turkey refuses to buy US F-16 modernisation because it can do it itself

Turkish F-16. Source: Фото: AFP/Andalou Agency

Turkey has refused to purchase services from the United States to upgrade its F-16 fighter jet fleet, as the Turkish defence industry can now carry out the upgrade itself.

Here's What We Know

Turkey has decided not to purchase 79 modernisation kits for its F-16 fighter jets. Earlier in the year, Turkey signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 40 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and 79 upgrade kits.

"We refused because our Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) facilities are capable of carrying out this modernisation on their own," said Defence Minister Yashar Guler.

Now Turkey is seeking to purchase only 40 new fighter jets, which will cost it $7 billion.

As a reminder, on 26 January, the US unblocked the sale of the latest version of F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits for existing aircraft to Turkey. The total potential order of aircraft and aviation weapons was worth $23 billion.

A pair of Turkish F-16s. Illustration: US AIR FORCE

In October 2021, the Turkish government asked the United States to purchase new and upgrade existing F-16 fighters. However, this opportunity was blocked by the US side.

Later, Turkey agreed to ratify Sweden's membership in NATO, asking for approval for the sale of new combat aircraft in return.

The State Department reported that Turkey was seeking to purchase 40 new Block 70 F-16s in two versions and upgrade 79 existing F-16s to the Block 70 version. The request included 32 F-16C Block 70 and 8 F-16D Block 70 combat aircraft, as well as 48 F110-GE-129D jet engines, of which 40 will be installed and 8 will be spares.

The order also includes 149 AN/APG-83 SABR airborne radars, other necessary equipment, spare parts, special tools and maintenance equipment, integration support, and logistics and software support elements.

Source: "Middle East in Ukrainian"