U.S. Working With Turkey On F-16 Deal, As Biden Reiterates Desire For Constructive Relations

President Joe Biden on Wednesday thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for striking a deal with Finland and Sweden that has paved the way for the two Nordic countries to soon become NATO candidates, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

During his meeting with Erdogan on the margins of the NATO Summit, Biden "reiterated his desire to maintain constructive bilateral relations, and the leaders agreed on the importance of continued close consultations between our governments," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

"The leaders discussed their continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, as well as the importance of removing Russian obstacles to the export of Ukrainian grain. They also talked about the importance of maintaining stability in the Aegean and Syria," the White House said.

Speaking to reporters in Washington about America’s enhanced force posture in Europe, a top Pentagon official said the U.S. “ fully supports Turkey’s modernization plans for its F-16 fleet,” which would amount to a $6 billion purchase of 40 Block 70 F-16 warplanes and about 80 Lockheed Martin modernization kits.

"These plans are in the works. And, you know, they need to be worked through our contracting processes,” the official, assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs, Celeste Wallander, said.

The U.S. supports Turkey’s modernization of its fighter fleet "because that is a contribution to NATO security and therefore American security,” she added.

During his meeting with Biden, Erdogan thanked the U.S president for renewed commitment to strengthening NATO and said the alliance will have to work together to resolve the mounting food crisis, Russian naval blockade of Ukraine’s ports and issues related to oil and natural gas.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for striking a deal with Finland and Sweden that has paved the way for the two Nordic countries to soon become NATO candidates, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

During his meeting with Erdogan on the margins of the NATO Summit, Biden "reiterated his desire to maintain constructive bilateral relations, and the leaders agreed on the importance of continued close consultations between our governments," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

"The leaders discussed their continued support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, as well as the importance of removing Russian obstacles to the export of Ukrainian grain. They also talked about the importance of maintaining stability in the Aegean and Syria," the White House said.

Speaking to reporters in Washington about America’s enhanced force posture in Europe, a top Pentagon official said the U.S. “ fully supports Turkey’s modernization plans for its F-16 fleet,” which would amount to a $6 billion purchase of 40 Block 70 F-16 warplanes and about 80 Lockheed Martin modernization kits.

"These plans are in the works. And, you know, they need to be worked through our contracting processes,” the official, assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs, Celeste Wallander, said.

The U.S. supports Turkey’s modernization of its fighter fleet "because that is a contribution to NATO security and therefore American security,” she added.

During his meeting with Biden, Erdogan thanked the U.S president for renewed commitment to strengthening NATO and said the alliance will have to work together to resolve the mounting food crisis, Russian naval blockade of Ukraine’s ports and issues related to oil and natural gas.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.