TSAMTO, June 10th. The Turkish Defense Ministry will receive F-16C/D Block fighter jets as part of the American Foreign Military Sales Program (FMS).70 Lockheed Martin Vipers, the purchase of which was blocked for a long time.
The official representative of the US State Department, Matthew Miller, announced at a press conference on May 6 that the government letters of Offer and Acceptance (Letters of Offer and Acceptance – LOA) have been signed. Thus, the agreement for the supply of aircraft has been concluded.
The US Ambassador to Turkey, Jeffrey Flake, said on this occasion that "today Turkey has taken an important step forward in purchasing the latest generation of F-16 fighter jets."70 and modernization of the existing F-16 fleet. This is a good step for the national security of the United States, the national security of Turkey and interoperability within NATO. Thanks for the hard work."
As already reported by CAMTO, the Turkish government has asked the United States about the possibility of selling 40 new F-16 fighters under the FMS program and upgrading 79 F-16 aircraft in service to the "V" configuration. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress of the possibility of implementing this program on January 26, 2024. The total cost of the order may amount to $23 billion.
The request included the supply of 32 F-16C Block.70 aircraft, 8 F-16D Block.70 aircraft, 48 F110-GE-129D engines (40 installed, 8 spare), 16 improved AN/AAQ-33 "Sniper ATP" aircraft outboard containers, 952 UR AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM class air-to-air or similar, 864 GBU-39/B Increment 1 small diameter bombs (SDB-1), 96 AGM-88B high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM), 96 advanced AGM-88E AARGM missiles, 1401 UR AIM-9X Block.2 air-to-air Sidewinder, 12 inert MK82 free-falling bombs, 850 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munion (JDAM) Tail Guidance Kits for GBU-31, 200 KMU-557 JDAM Tail Guidance Kits for GBU-31v3, 384 KMU-559 JDAM Tail Guidance kits for GBU-32, other project-related equipment and services.
As stated, the new and refurbished fighters will allow Turkey to receive a fleet of modern multi-purpose combat aircraft that will ensure the protection of national airspace, participation in NATO operations to ensure regional security and protect NATO allies, as well as compatibility with the US and NATO Armed Forces.
Recall that in October 2021, the Turkish government has already requested the purchase of 40 new F-16s in the Block configuration from the United States.70/72 "Viper" and upgrade packages to "V" configuration 79 available F-16 Unit.50/50+ "Falcon Fighting Game". The deal was then estimated at $6 billion, and also provided for the supply of 900 air-to-air missiles and 800 aerial bombs.
In mid-May 2023, the Turkish Air Force received the first F-16 Unit.30, which was upgraded with the help of a kit developed by local Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) according to the Ozgur project (translates as "free"). The upgraded Ozgur F-16 can now use locally produced ammunition, which the Turkish defense industry has been striving for for a long time.
Although the Ozgu upgrade is primarily intended to be applied to the F-16 Block versions.30 and the Block.40, it was reported that potentially such a kit could also be used in the fleet of F-16 Block aircraft.50 in case the US Congress blocks the transfer of Viper upgrade kits.