Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez said he would continue to block the sale of combat aircraft Turkeyunless Ankara stops threatening US regional allies and improves its human rights record.

In a statement, according to Politico, he said, “I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s proposed sale of new aircraft. F-16 in Turkey“. He accused the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he continues to “undermine international law, ignore human rights and democratic norms, and exhibit disturbing and destabilizing behavior both in Turkey and towards neighboring NATO allies.”

“Until Erdogan stops making threats, improves his human rights record at home, including releasing journalists and opposition politicians, and acts like a trusted ally, I will not approve of this sale,” Mr. Menendez continued, noting that he supports the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Greece.

Biden administration: F-35 in Greece and F-16 in Turkey

It is recalled that the American administration of Joe Biden is preparing to seek Congressional approval for the sale of upgraded F-16s to Turkey in the amount of $ 20 billion, along with a separate sale to our country of 40 F-35s at a time. of the largest sales of American equipment in recent years. This was reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in an article yesterday that links the Washington study to US efforts to remove Turkish obstacles to Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

The sale to Turkey, which the US has been mulling over for a year, is bigger than expected. It includes 40 new aircraft to upgrade an existing fleet of 79 F-16s, officials familiar with the proposals said.

The congressional briefing is expected to coincide with Mevlut Cavusoglu’s visit to the US next week. The sale also includes 900 air-to-air missiles and 800 bombs. According to the paper, Congressional approval depends on Turkey’s agreement to Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

A separate sale to Greece, at the request of the Greek government last June, is “at least 30” F-35s, which are the most advanced US fighter jets. Although officials called it a coincidence, it is clear that Athens’ possible reaction to Turkey’s F-16s will be toned down if their own request is granted, the WSJ notes, noting that Congress has never blocked the sale of weapons to a foreign country. requested by the White House.

It is recalled that the Greek side has already taken the first steps to deliver the first 20 F-35s with an option to purchase another 20. Already in the United States, a response was received to the Greek letter of request (Letter of Request) to the letter of offer and acceptance (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) is actually much shorter than expected.

From the outset, Washington intended to respond to the letter before the Greek elections so that the F-35 program would not fall prey to political counterclaims. With a reply letter, technical negotiations will begin immediately and – at least based on the existing schedule – the first Greek F-35 will land at Araxos, Andravida, Larissa or Souda (basic discussions ongoing) at the end of the period. 2027-2028, when the first upgraded F-16s are expected to be delivered to Turkey.