U.S. lawmakers call on Biden to not sell F-16 jets to Turkey

Eleven Democratic and Republican lawmakers called on President Joe Biden to decline a request by Turkey to acquire F-16 fighter jets, Ahval reported.

The members of the House of Representatives expressed “a profound sense of concern” about reports that Turkey may buy 40 F-16s and 80 F-16 modernization kits, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing an Oct. 25 letter sent to the White House.

Turkish President Erdogan announced in September that he planned to purchase additional S-400 missile systems from Russia, an announcement that ran contrary to Turkey’s commitments as a NATO ally, the lawmakers said. Earlier this month, he said the U.S. had proposed to sell his government the F-16 planes.

“We cannot afford to compromise our national security by sending U.S.-manufactured aircraft to a treaty ally which continues to behave like an adversary,” they said.

The letter was led by Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis and Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney. The White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters said.

“The United States cannot afford to transfer any advanced military equipment to the government of Turkey at this time,” the lawmakers said.

Turkey’s purchase of a first batch of the Russian missiles in 2019 prompted the Pentagon to suspend it from a programme to develop and purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets. In December, former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Turkey’s defence procurement agency.

Maloney and Malliotakis are members of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, which focuses on issues including U.S. aid to Greece and Cyprus. Maloney is the founder and co-chair.