US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in a phone call with Turkish Defense Minister Yasir Guler, discussed support for Turkey’s military modernization, the Pentagon said late Monday.
It comes after the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan Agree to send Sweden’s accession protocol to NATO to parliament for approval.
The position of the United States on the military modernization of Turkey
The president is us Joe Biden The US administration has supported Turkey’s desire to purchase 40 new Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets along with upgrade kits for its existing warplanes from the US.
“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey to strengthen defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region,” Biden said Monday.
However, some in Congress, notably Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, have opposed the move on Turkey banning NATO membership. Swedenits human rights record and its relations with Greece, among others.
Mendez, a Democrat, said he “still has reservations” about providing the fighter jets to Turkey.
“If they (the Biden administration) can find a way to ensure that Turkish aggression against its neighbors stops, which has happened in the past several months, that’s great but there has to be a lasting reality,” he added.
Menendez added that there must be a way to “strengthen Greece’s security” and get “assurances about future actions”.
What Türkiye said about the American F-16s
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that his State ratification of Sweden’s attempt to join NATO The sale of the F-16s should not be linked to each other.
Made these comments before leaving NATO summit in Vilnius.
Erdogan is expected to hold further talks with Biden at the meeting regarding the purchase of F-16 fighters.
dvv/rt (AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa)
“Infuriatingly humble analyst. Bacon maven. Proud food specialist. Certified reader. Avid writer. Zombie advocate. Incurable problem solver.”