Turkey’s Erdogan welcomes ‘conclusion’ of F-16 sale from US

ANKARA — Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed on Monday the conclusion of the congressional process for his country’s bid to buy new F-16s fighter jets from the United States. 

“We are pleased that our F-16 request process, which we have been working on with the US for a while, has come to a positive conclusion,” he said while speaking in Ankara after a Cabinet meeting. “Turkey’s defense industry will advance faster with the removal of restrictions on our country.”

US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake on Sunday welcomed Congress’ clearing of the sale that Turkey requested more than three years ago.

“Congress’ decision this week to approve [Turkey’s] acquisition of 40 new and 79 upgraded F-16 aircraft is a great step forward,” he said in a statement posted on the embassy’s X account.