Whether we realize it or not, the purchase of F-16s will greatly affect bilateral relations between the two countries, namely the United States (US) and Turkey. It was even stated that if Ankara failed to bring 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft from the US, it would make relations between the two countries heat up.
According to news from Defense Security Asia, not only planes, Turkey apparently also intends to buy 80 modernization kits for F-16 aircraft from the US. The modernization kit is none other than to replace and extend the life of the F-16 that Turkey already has.
The purchase of F-16s from the Turkish side is crucial because the service life of the fighter aircraft they are currently using has entered its end. This has even been confirmed by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar who said that the procurement of new F-16 aircraft from the United States was increasingly important.
Turkey's request to buy 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft from the United States itself is currently under negotiation. There is a speck of hope, the application will be passed by the United States.
The reason, Ankara itself is a member of NATO as well as the United States. However, this hope was slightly dashed due to interference from members of Congress and the Senate from internal US parties.
It is known from an internal perspective, there is opposition from the members of the US Senate and Congress from the Democratic and Republican parties who are allegedly pro-Greek.
As is known, the Greek government has indeed appealed to Washington and President Jo Biden not to grant Turkey's request to modernize its fighter aircraft.
On the other hand, the US parliament opposes the sale of planes to Turkey as a punishment because the country has been desperate to buy the S-400 air defense system from Russia. There is another option that Turkey can choose if its application fails, namely by acquiring Rafale from France as did the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As we all know, the EUA caused a stir in the military world by buying up 80 Rafale aircraft. But the option is not without obstacles, considering that relations between Turkey and France are not good because of the problem of the East Mediterranean Waters.
Besides the Rafale, Turkey is also known to have received offers of Su-35 and Su-57 aircraft from the Russian side.
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