The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of F-16 communications system upgrade kits to Turkey.
Anadolu Agency quoted on Monday - citing what it described as informed sources - that the US State Department officially informed Congress of its decision on the sale of the Link-16 tactical data link network modernization kits (Link-16) to Turkey.
The sale package also includes automatic collision avoidance systems, as well as equipment and engineering support to upgrade Turkey's existing F-16 tactical data link network to the Upgrade-16 level.
The U.S. Congress has the right to veto sales approvals to NATO countries within 15 working days, and 30 days for non-NATO countries.
According to established practice, the State Department informally informally informs Congress of the sale plans and, after receiving a response, formally notifies.
Link-16 is a military radio network used by NATO and its member states. This network provides tactical information exchange between aircraft, helicopters, drones, ships and ground forces.
Ankara has been demanding for months that the United States complete its sale of new F-16 fighter jets to upgrade its current fleet, and has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of seeking other sources if that deal does not go through.
There are many contentious issues between Washington and Ankara, from Syria to Turkey's opposition to Sweden's membership and Finland's NATO membership before it, but the United States recognizes that Ankara "has a constructive role" in relation to the war in Ukraine, according to U.S. officials.