US Approves Sale of F-16s to Turkey, F-35s to Greece: A Diplomatic Triumph

In a remarkable diplomatic achievement, the United States has cleared the way for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and F-35s to Greece, marking a new chapter in US-Turkey relations and bolstering the security of the NATO alliance.

Background: A Diplomatic Tightrope

The decision to sell these advanced aircraft followed years of negotiations, stemming from Sweden and Finland’s application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2022. Turkey initially expressed concerns about the potential impact of their accession on regional security, particularly due to Sweden’s alleged harboring of members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organization by Turkey.

This stance created a diplomatic tightrope for the Biden administration, which sought to address Turkey’s concerns while maintaining its commitment to Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership. Secretary of State Antony Blinken played a pivotal role in these negotiations, engaging in extensive discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials.

Leveraging the F-16 Sale: A Strategic Move

Recognizing the significance of the F-16 sale to Turkey, the US administration strategically leveraged this opportunity to persuade Turkey to approve Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO bids. Turkey had long expressed interest in acquiring these fighter jets, and the US made it clear that the sale would be contingent upon Turkey’s support for Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO.

Progress in Negotiations: Overcoming Obstacles

As negotiations progressed, Turkey approved Finland’s NATO accession in March 2023, while continuing to block Sweden’s membership. Blinken intensified his efforts to secure Turkey’s approval for Sweden, meeting with Erdogan and other Turkish officials to discuss the issue.

In February 2023, Blinken met with Erdogan in Turkey, where the Turkish president emphasized the need for the US to provide Turkey with F-16s before approving Sweden’s membership in NATO. Blinken, in turn, reiterated that members of Congress would not approve the sale of jets until Turkey allowed Sweden to join NATO.

The Appointment of Hakan Fidan: A Diplomatic Catalyst

The appointment of Hakan Fidan as Turkey’s foreign minister in June 2023 facilitated progress in the negotiations. Fidan, seen as having a closer relationship with Erdogan than his predecessor, engaged in productive discussions with Blinken on the F-16 sale and Sweden’s NATO bid.

US Engagement with Greece: Addressing Concerns

The US administration also engaged extensively with Greece to ensure its support for the F-16 sale to Turkey. Greece and Turkey have a tense relationship, and the US sought to address Greece’s concerns about the potential impact of the sale on regional stability. Blinken met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on several occasions to discuss the issue.

Clearing the First Hurdle: Erdogan’s Commitment

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2023, Erdogan publicly committed to move forward on Sweden’s accession to NATO, clearing the first hurdle in the process of securing Turkey’s approval.

Intensified Efforts for Turkish Parliament Approval

Following the Vilnius summit, the US and Turkish officials intensified their efforts to secure a favorable vote in the Turkish parliament on Sweden’s NATO accession. Blinken and Fidan spoke weekly over the autumn and winter, and Blinken also engaged extensively with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis and members of the US Congress to address their concerns.

Turkish Parliament Approval and Erdogan’s Signature: Final Steps

In February 2024, the Turkish parliament finally voted in favor of Sweden’s NATO accession. Erdogan signed the instruments of ratification on Thursday, March 2, 2024, marking the final step before the US State Department could send formal notifications about the F-16 sales to Congress.

Formal Notifications to Congress: Paving the Way for Approval

On Friday, March 3, 2024, the State Department sent formal notifications to Congress about the proposed sales of F-16s to Turkey and F-35s to Greece. The total value of the sales is estimated at $31.6 billion, and Congress is expected to approve both sales.

Significance of the Sale: A New Era of Cooperation

The sale of F-16s to Turkey and F-35s to Greece is a significant development in US-Turkey relations and in the security of the NATO alliance. It represents the culmination of years of negotiations and underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with its allies.

This agreement not only enhances the military capabilities of Turkey and Greece but also fosters cooperation and stability in the region. It signals a new era of diplomatic collaboration between the US, Turkey, and Greece, reinforcing the collective defense and shared values of the NATO alliance.