Is TAAS news agency’s claim of second S-400 deal with Türkiye linked to US F-16s?

Experts state that Türkiye is one of the countries that use F-16 aircraft effectively, while officials report that Türkiye has about 240 F-16s in its inventory. In order to further strengthen its power in the air, Türkiye requested 40 F-16 Block 70 warcraft from the U.S., with an additional 80 modernization kits for its existing F-16s. These kits are extremely important for the existing aircraft. The F-16 Block 70 modernization kits are packages that consist of component device equipment that will upgrade the Turkish Air Forces’ (TAF) existing F-16s to the block 70 level. The TAF needs the state-of-the-art technology F-16 model in order to make up for the capacity deficit that may develop until our national combat aircraft is put into service, and to eliminate any capacity deficit that may arise considering particularly the developments in the region, as well as regional countries’ investments on air forces, and military aviation. In this respect, this is an interim solution until the national combat aircraft is put into service. The modernization kits will contribute both to Türkiye and NATO’s south wing’s protection. 

However, clearly, the F-16 is an important agenda item regarding Türkiye's relations with U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, the White House, as well as Congress. A powerful group in Congress, led by certain strong Congress members, is making substantial efforts to prevent F-16 sales to Türkiye. The Greek, Armenian, and as a matter of fact, Indian lobbies in Congress are carrying out serious lobby activities in this respect. 

The U.S. House of Representatives took a scandalous anti-Türkiye decision on July 14. The House allowed Biden to sell F-16s to Türkiye on the condition that Türkiye refrains from violating Greece’s air space. This is not only Greece’s attempt to steal via U.S. pressure the air space it was unable to get Türkiye to accept for many years, but also prevent Türkiye’s sovereignty rights. Surely Türkiye will not accept such a despicable decision that is against the country’s national interests. As stated by important experts in the field, “This is more than a military or political matter. In order for Türkiye to protect its national interests in both the Aegean and the East Mediterranean, to act in accordance with these interests, it requires very powerful air forces and naval forces. If we fail to continue our superiority, we may experience greater difficulty in both the diplomatic and geopolitical domains. Of course, a temporary solution like the F-16 will eliminate a capacity deficit, yet Türkiye needs to focus on its own unique, national solutions – primarily its national combat aircraft.” 

Türkiye’s National Combat Aircraft Project is progressing step by step. The aircraft engine will be started in 2023. It will add strength to the TAF’s strength. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also underlines that the National Combat Aircraft Project is very critical: “I attach importance to the National Combat Aircraft Project in two respects. First, the national combat aircraft, which is classified as a fifth-generation aircraft featuring advanced level capacities, will contribute enormously to the TAF’s offensive, deterrent power. The other importance lies within the concept we call operation independence. This means that the TAF can use this aircraft in accordance with its own national interests, in accordance with its national defense needs, without being subjected to any outside pressures, sanctions, or embargoes. 

When the National Combat Aircraft is equipped with completely local defense industry weapons and systems once it is launched in the 2030s, this will offer Türkiye operation independence, enabling Türkiye to make a great leap in terms of the regional air force equilibrium. It is an extremely critical project in this respect.” 

U.S. President Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg accepted at the Madrid NATO leaders summit that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) Syrian wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) is a terrorist organization. In addition, though Biden promised in the bilateral meetings that Türkiye will be provided the 40 F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the 80 modernization kits it requested, the promise was not fulfilled. Not only did the U.S. continue to support the PYD/PKK, but it also responded to Türkiye’s plans for a military operation aimed at neutralizing this terrorist organization, particularly in all of the Middle East, primarily in northern Syria, with perception and chaos operations directly targeting Türkiye. In his statements to the press on the way back from the meetings in Lviv, Ukraine, President Erdogan pointing out that the U.S. has been supporting terrorism in Syria and Iraq since the beginning is meaningful. President Erdogan is a reputable global leader who is able to talk with Russia and Ukraine and solve the world’s grain crisis. As Türkiye and U.S. are currently experiencing F-16 problems, Türkiye denied Russia’s statement that a second S400 deal was signed. This statement is targeted at the terrorist affiliate U.S.