US law requires Congress to be notified of any sale of US weapons to a foreign government (Getty)

The administration of US President Joe Biden officially informed Congress - yesterday, Friday - that it intends to proceed with the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey worth $23 billion, thus putting an end to months of negotiations, in a decision that comes after Ankara ratified Sweden’s accession to the EU. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin, said that he supports the proposed sale of F-16 aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin to Turkey.

In turn, the US State Department explained that the sale includes Turkey obtaining 40 new F-16 aircraft.

Yesterday evening, the Ministry officially notified Congress of this double deal, as required by American law.

To implement this step, the United States was waiting to receive Turkey’s ratification documents for Sweden’s membership in NATO, according to an American official who requested anonymity, which reflects the very sensitive nature of the negotiations that were ongoing.

At the same time, the Biden administration requested approval to sell 20 F-35 fighter jets to Greece, in a deal worth $8.6 billion proposed by Washington at a time when it is trying to achieve a balance between Turkey and Greece, which are members of NATO and have a history of relations. Tense.

After sending the official notification by the State Department, Congress will have 15 days to object to the sale, after which it will be considered final, as American law requires Congress to be notified of any sale of American weapons to a foreign government.

Sweden and NATO

Last Tuesday, the Turkish Parliament ratified Turkey's approval of Sweden's accession to NATO, ending 20 months of negotiations between Stockholm and Ankara in this regard, which served as a test for Ankara's relations with its Western allies who wish to form a united front against Moscow in the context of the Russian war on Ukraine.

Turkey initially rejected Sweden's request to join NATO against the backdrop of Stockholm harboring Kurdish groups that Ankara considers "terrorist."

Sweden responded to this position by tightening its anti-terrorism legislation, and took other steps requested by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After that, Erdogan stipulated that Sweden's accession be approved by the US Congress to approve the sale of F-16 fighters to Ankara, which it urgently needs to modernize its air warfare capabilities.

Source: Agencies