Turkey will ratify Sweden's NATO application if the US approves the sale of modernised F-16V Block 70/72 fighter jets and equipment worth up to $20 billion

Sweden will be able to become a NATO member if Turkey receives fourth-generation F-16 Block 70/72 (Viper) fighters. This was announced the day before by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Here's What We Know

Speaking to reporters, the Turkish president revealed talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The officials were in New York last week to discuss Sweden's bid for NATO membership.

The White House has linked the approval of the F-16V Block 70/72 deliveries to Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO application. According to Erdogan, if the US keeps its promise, the Turkish parliament will fulfil its promise. The president added that his country will have the final say on Sweden's accession to NATO.

Turkey has requested the purchase of 40 F-16V Block 70/72 fighter jets and equipment to modernise the older aircraft. The total value of the potential deal is estimated at $20 billion. Ankara decided to buy the F-16Vs after it was excluded from the development programme for the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet due to its $2.5 billion purchase of Russian S-400 Triumf air defence systems.

Source: Reuters