UPDATE - US State Dept. greenlights sale to Türkiye of F-16 jet Link-16 modernization kits

UPDATES WITH OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION, MORE STATEMENTS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – In a process Türkiye has been following closely, the US State Department has issued approval of the sale to Türkiye of Link-16 tactical data link modernization kits for its F-16 jets.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Türkiye of defense articles and services to support upgrading its current fleet of F-16 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $259 million," the Defense Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

Noting Türkiye's request to buy defense articles and services to support its current fleet of F-16 aircraft, the statement said: "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve Türkiye’s interoperability with NATO and ensure safety of flight for Türkiye’s existing F-16 aircraft."

"The proposed sale will improve Türkiye’s capability to meet current and future threats and assist in defending its homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it added.

The Defense and Security Cooperation Agency has the job of notifying Congress about the US' official military sales.

Congress has the right to object to the State Department's determination within 15 business days for sales approvals granted to NATO members, including Türkiye, a member of the alliance for over 70 years.

The sales package includes equipment and engineering support to upgrade the Link-16 tactical data link system of Türkiye's existing F-16 jets to the Block Upgrade-2 level, as well as Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems.

"Türkiye is a longstanding and valued NATO ally," a State Department spokesperson told Anadolu, commenting on approval of the sale.

"The Biden administration supports Türkiye’s efforts to bring the avionics of its F-16 fleet up to standard," the spokesperson said.

Adding that the sale will enhance Türkiye’s interoperability with NATO and "provide upgrades to enhance safety measures such as a ground collision avoidance system," the spokesperson said: "This is an interoperability and basic safety-of-flight issue for both Türkiye and all allies and partners participating in joint missions with Türkiye."

"The United States and Türkiye have longstanding and deep defense and security ties, and Türkiye's continued NATO interoperability remains a critical priority," the spokesperson added.

Link-16 is a military radio network, also known as a tactical data link (TDL), used by NATO and allied countries.

It provides tactical information sharing between aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ships, and ground forces.

Ankara and Washington last year negotiated the sale of 40 new F-16 jets and 79 modernization kits, and the process is currently awaiting the approval of the US Congress.