Now the US says it “fully supports” Turkey’s plan to modernize its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, officials say, despite concerns over its handling of human rights. Before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, more than 50 U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinked and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urging them to support President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s request for help upgrading his air force. reject.
They cited his government’s “massive human rights violations” and said Turkey had failed to honor its NATO obligations.
But officials in Washington now have what has been called the “strongest public support for the request,” which Erdogan made last October.
The move comes after Ankara U-has opposed Finland and Sweden joining NATO.
According to the Financial Times, the Joe Biden administration said it was offering nothing to bring about this move.
But “they said the public approval seemed to help the atmosphere”.
Obviously, the topic of the modernization of the F-16 was not discussed at a meeting at the G7 summit in Germany this week.
Erdogan had previously blocked the two Nordic countries from joining the military alliance, insisting “we will not say ‘yes’ to those who apply sanctions to Turkey” and that they also identify the sources of “terrorism financing ” for Kurdistan should cut off Workers’ Party (PKK).
An agreement was reached this week, meaning that there should now be no more hitches on the road to further NATO expansion.
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However, Wallander noted that the sale of new plans “should go through our contract processes”.
But broadly, she noted: “The United States supports Turkey’s modernization of its fighter fleet because it contributes to NATO’s security and thus to American security.”
NATO also pledged this month to radically expand the size of its preparedness force to “well over” 300,000 troops.
This will be an increase of 40,000 soldiers.
Commenting on the announcement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “We will strengthen our battlegroups in the eastern part of the Alliance to the brigade level.”
The upgraded force will include “more pre-positioned equipment and stocks of military supplies,” he added.
Boris Johnson later announced that the UK will increase its own defense spending from two to 2.5 percent of GDP.