In this handout photo from the US Air Force, an airman guides an F-16 Fighting Falcon during training at Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Jan 24, 2022. (US AIR FORCE VIA AP)
WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden's administration notified Congress on Monday of the planned sale to Türkiye of avionics software upgrades for its current fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft, a deal valued at up to $259 million.
The deal, first reported by Reuters earlier on Monday, moves ahead with the sale of the modernization package for Türkiye's aircraft, after leaders of US congressional committees gave informal approval.
A larger agreement, NATO member Türkiye's request to buy billions of dollars worth of F-16s, remains in limbo amid continuing opposition in Congress.
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The Biden Administration supports Türkiye’s efforts to bring the avionics of its F-16 fleet up to standard.
Spokesperson, US State Department
If it is cleared by Congress during the formal approval process, the package would be the first major military sale to Türkiye that Congress has approved for years.
"Türkiye is a longstanding and valued NATO ally," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. "The Biden Administration supports Türkiye’s efforts to bring the avionics of its F-16 fleet up to standard."
The spokesperson noted that the upgrade will improve the interoperability between Turkish and NATO systems by updating its communications and also provide upgrades to enhance safety measures such as a ground collision avoidance system.
The F-16 modernization deal follows Türkiye approving Finland's accession to the NATO military alliance and signs of easing tensions between Türkiye and neighbor Greece ahead of Turkish elections next month.
Lockheed Martin Corp will be the principal contractor on the deal.
The package is separate from the proposed $20 billion sale of new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits that Türkiye requested in October 2021.
The smaller package was approved after the administration pushed the lawmakers to approve it to send a "positive signal" to Ankara, according to one source familiar with the deal.
READ MORE: Top US lawmaker objects to potential F-16 sale to Türkiye
The approval does not mean the bigger sale will receive a green light from Congress as US lawmakers are seeking assurances from Türkiye on issues that go beyond the Nordic NATO expansion. Those issues include easing tensions with Greece for good, refraining from an invasion in northern Syria and enforcing sanctions against Russia.
Such conditions are likely to anger Türkiye, which has said the US had "endless" demands relating to the sale of F-16s and that Washington's behavior wasn't fair.