US State Department approves $259m sale of equipment to Turkey to upgrade F-16 fighters to Block 70/72 Viper

The day before, foreign media wrote that the US State Department had approved the sale of F-16 Fighting Falcon modernisation equipment to Turkey. A statement to this effect was later published on the website of the US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Here's What We Know

The potential deal will be worth $259m, with US-based Lockheed Martin appointed as the main contractor for the agreement. The contract also includes hardware and software upgrades, test support, additional equipment, training and education equipment, spare parts and technical documentation.

The deal will allow the Turkish Air Force to upgrade its fleet of fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to the Block 70/72 Viper. So far, only one F-16V Block 70 aircraft exists. It arrived at Edwards Air Force Base in late March 2023, where it will undergo testing before being shipped to Bahrain.

In addition, Turkey wants to buy 40 F-16V Block 70/72 fighters. However, this deal has not yet been approved by the US State Department. The cost of the contract could be as high as $20bn.

Source: DSCA