If the United States refuses to give Turkey sell modernized F-16 carriers, Ankara may in particular consider the option of purchasing Russian Su-35 and Su-57 fighters. This was stated to the Anatolian Agency by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
“Some of the defense products are now produced in Turkey itself, and some are imported.
Turkey is launching a procedure to buy F-16 fighter jets from the United States
Strengthening Turkey means stronger NATO
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If the US does not want to sell the F-35 or F-16 to Turkey, then we will consider other options, including Su-35 and Su-57. This will continue until we start producing our own planes, “the Turkish Foreign Minister was quoted as saying by the Anatolian Agency.
Mevlut Cavusoglu commented on a report that a group of US senators had called on the White House administration not to sell the F-16 to Ankara.
Cavusoglu stressed that it all depends on the White House, as the US presidential administration “can persuade Congress to support arms sales to Turkey“.
In October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Washington had offered to supply F-16 fighters to Turkey in exchange for earlier investments in the F-35 program, from which Ankara was excluded several years ago.
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Turkey is asking the United States for permission to buy 40 F-16s and 80 upgrade kits
The request is likely to encounter difficulties in the US Congress, there is bipartisan support for additional pressure on Ankara
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This happened after Turkey purchased Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.
The White House fears that Russia could use its air defense systems to obtain information about the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber.
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