Joe Biden Asked Not to Sell Fighter Jets to Turkey

jpnn.com, AMERIKA - A number of US lawmakers from the Democratic and Republican parties have urged President Joe Biden's administration not to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

The reason is that the country led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is playing two feet by still buying weapons from US rivals.

In a letter to Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 11 US lawmakers expressed "deep concern" about recent reports that Turkey may purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets and 80 F-16 modernization equipment.

The letter is dated October 25 and was seen by Reuters on Tuesday (26/10).

"Following President Erdogan's September announcement that Turkey will purchase an additional tranche of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, we cannot afford to compromise our national security by sending U.S.-manufactured aircraft to a treaty ally which continues to behave like an adversary," the lawmakers wrote.

The writing of the letter was led by Republican lawmaker Nicole Malliotakis and Democrat Carolyn Maloney.

"While we are confident that Congress will stand together to block any such exports should these plans progress, the United States cannot afford to transfer any advanced military equipment to the government of Turkey at this time," the letter said.

The White House and the US State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.