The US has hinted at the possibility of selling modern F-16s to Türkiye and modernization equipment for its old fighters of the same type.
Türkiye will be able to modernize its military capabilities and strengthen interoperability with NATO through the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets.
Speaking to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryde noted that Ankara's strengthening of operational compatibility with NATO will allow allied forces to gain access to key areas to support operations in conditions of stability, as well as emergency situations.
Washington is awaiting the Turkish Parliament’s approval of Sweden’s accession protocol to NATO before implementing the F-16 deal.
A senior White House official said Washington hopes that Parliament will soon approve Sweden’s request, adding that this remains a top priority to the US administration.
The parliament was Tuesday set to resume debate on approving the bid.
Committee chairman Fuat Oktay said parliament’s approval hinges on the US approval of Ankara’s request to purchase 40 F-16s and 79 modernization equipment for aircraft operating in the Turkish Air Force.
"Positive developments from the United States regarding the F-16 issue and Canada keeping its promises will accelerate our parliament's positive view (on Sweden's membership bid)," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said recently.
"All of these are linked," he added.
Canada agreed to reopen talks with its NATO ally Türkiye on lifting export controls on drone parts after Erdogan signaled in July that Sweden would get the green light from Ankara.
Erdogan said that he discussed the issue of Sweden's NATO accession with US President Joe Biden in a call last week.
"In the call, Mr. Biden said: 'You pass this [Sweden's NATO bid] from the parliament and I will get it [the F-16 sale] passed from the Congress'," Erdogan said.
A phone call between Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Dec. 17 highlighted the "importance of ratifying Sweden’s NATO accession as soon as possible," according to a readout from the White House.
