U.S. Senator objects to F-16 sales to Turkey

In the U.S. Senate, opposition has emerged against the Joe Biden administration's plan to sell F-16 jets to Turkey. Republican Senator Rand Paul introduced a bipartisan bill to prevent the sale of F-16s to Turkey.

The bill, introduced by Paul on February 5 and made public today, seeks to prohibit the sale of all military equipment, materials, and services to Turkey, including the F-16 jets that the Biden administration plans to supply.

Republican Senator Rand Paul introduced legislation to ban the sale of F-16 jets to Turkey. 

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Paul's proposed bill requires approval from a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to become law. If the bill does not pass, the sale will officially proceed. Even if the objection bills are approved, President Joe Biden has the right to veto. Meanwhile, Congress's deadline to object to the sale to Turkey expires on February 10.

Following Turkey's approval of Sweden's NATO membership, the Biden administration had signaled its approval for the F-16 sale to Turkey.

On January 27, the U.S. Department of State formally notified Congress of the sale of 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft and 79 F-16 Block 70 modernization kits to Turkey, simultaneously with the notification of the sale of F-35s to Greece.

The notification for the sale to Turkey, valued at approximately $23 billion, also includes military ammunition, equipment, and materials.