U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Maintains Concerns Over F-16 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Maintains Concerns Over F-16 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey

On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez reiterated his apprehensions regarding the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, asserting that he had not withdrawn his hold on the aircraft's sale.

In an interview with Reuters at the Capitol, Menendez, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as a Democrat, stated that no developments altered his stance. He emphasized that the concerns surrounding the sale persisted.

During the informal evaluation process for significant weapons sales, the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees can impose "holds" on the deals, effectively suspending them due to various issues, including human rights violations.

Menendez has long opposed the potential sale of F-16s to Turkey for several reasons, including Turkey's resistance to Sweden's NATO membership ratification, human rights abuse concerns, and Turkish overflights in Greek airspace.

A NATO member, Turkey expressed interest in purchasing $20 billion worth of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and around 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes in October 2021. The sale has received support from President Joe Biden's administration.

Turkey had previously withheld the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership, accusing Stockholm of insufficient action against individuals Turkey considers terrorists, mainly referring to Kurdish members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). However, on July 10, President Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would forward the ratification to parliament when it reconvenes in the autumn.

During a confirmation hearing for Biden's nominee to be assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, Menendez further discussed Turkey. He highlighted Turkey's delay in voting on Sweden's NATO membership, questioning why President Erdogan had not taken the necessary steps to hold the vote in parliament.

Menendez also raised concerns about Turkey's relations with Greece, pointing out the incongruity of having one NATO ally displaying hostility toward another while simultaneously procuring F-16s from the United States.

In response to Menendez's remarks, a State Department spokesperson stated that the department would continue consultations. The spokesperson emphasized that President Biden had consistently voiced support for the sale, citing its significance in facilitating NATO interoperability and serving the U.S. national interest.