US MPs to Blinken: Ensure Turkey does not use F-16s against Greece

American MPs are calling for an oversight mechanism to be set up to ensure Turkey does not use the new F-16 fighter jets to violate Greek sovereignty in the Aegean.

In their letter, the members of the Greek affairs group in the House of Representatives point out that the oversight mechanism will be able to freeze, delay or even cancel the transfer of the fighters, depending on Turkey’s behaviour. They also point out that in this way, Ankara will not take actions that undermine US national security interests and the unity of the NATO alliance.

The letter was signed by MPs Chris Papas, Gus Bilirakis, Frank Palone, John Sarbanis, Dina Titus, and Nicole Malliotakis.

They are asking for conditions if the F-16 contract is approved

US lawmakers argue that specific conditions can be included in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA ) that the US government will send to Turkey if the F-16 contract is approved. This letter may detail the terms, conditions, and oversight mechanisms governing the use of all equipment to be included in the defence contract. American lawmakers argue that such a move is feasible because it enjoys political legitimacy due to recent resolutions in Congress.

“Not only is there no precedent for imposing conditions on the sale of defensive weapons, but Congress has already expressed support for imposing conditions on such a sale. In the 2023 National Defense Budget Bill (NDAA), the House of Representatives approved an amendment that would place reasonable limits on the government’s ability to transfer F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey. The Parliament passed this provision on a bipartisan basis with 73% of the MPs voting in favour”, they note.

Finally, the lawmakers call on Mr Blinkento to see the big picture as reflected by the wider interests of the Western alliance. For this reason, they argue that efforts should not be limited solely to Sweden’s NATO membership, as they recall that both President Biden and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan have recently emphasized the importance of stability in the Aegean. Although they welcome the recent de-escalation, the American congressmen remind that the doctrine of Turkish foreign policy remains unchanged, given that Ankara continues to maintain the casus belli against Athens and possesses the Russian S-400 system.

The following is the Letter from the US Congressmen to Anthony Blinken

We write about the reported discussions between the United States and Turkey regarding selling F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits concerning Sweden’s accession to NATO. If an agreement to sell F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey is being considered, we strongly urge that any final agreement include mechanisms to halt, delay, or withdraw the transfer of such weapons if Turkey engages in actions that threaten or undermine US national security interests and the unity of the NATO alliance.

While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of NATO unity, Turkey has continued to hold Sweden’s NATO membership hostage in order to obtain F-16s and modernization kits from the United States. Still, State Department officials reportedly met recently with senior members of Congress, who have responsibility for approving arms sales, to ensure that Congress “will not overrule them if they pursue a deal with Turkey that will link the F-16 sale to Ankara’s approval of Sweden’s (NATO) accession.

Given the government’s consistent statements that F-16 sales are not linked to Sweden’s accession, we are concerned about these reports. As it becomes increasingly clear that the administration is using every tool at its disposal to pressure Congress and relevant stakeholders to approve the sale of F-16s and modernization kit to Turkey, it is imperative that any agreement protect the broader NATO security interests and not just Sweden’s membership.

Turkey’s aggression in the region – which threatens the very “stability in the Aegean”, the value of which has been recognized by both President Biden and National Security Adviser Sullivan in recent statements – must stop in order for the US to transfer responsible way new weapons in Ankara. Guarantees must exclude using American weapons to provoke conflict within NATO. Given Turkey’s history of using US F-16s for overflights in the Aegean and for challenging Greek sovereignty, we call for mechanisms that provide for a cessation,

As you know, after notifying Congress of its intention to proceed with the sale of defence systems, the US government will respond to the country’s (Turkey) Letter of Request with a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), which will detail the terms, conditions, and the oversight mechanisms governing the items (of defence equipment) to be covered by the sale.

In addition, all US defence systems sold, leased, or exported under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) are subject to end-use monitoring to ensure that the recipient complies with US government requirements regarding the systems’ use, transport and security. (These requirements) ensure compliance with US arms export rules and policies. After the agreement is finalized, it is up to the US government to implement end-use monitoring as required by US law and specified in the terms of the LOA.

Not only is there no precedent for imposing conditions on the sale of defensive weapons, but Congress has already expressed support for imposing conditions on such a sale. In the 2023 National Defense Budget Bill (NDAA), the House of Representatives approved an amendment that would place reasonable limits on the government’s ability to transfer F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey. The Parliament passed this provision bipartisanly, with 73% of MPs voting in favour.

While we welcome the current pause in Turkey’s destabilizing actions in the region, it is important to stress that the Erdogan government has not changed policy. The impression that Turkey has improved relations with NATO ally Greece is belied by the fact that Ankara maintains the casus belli against Athens.

Turkey also continues to possess the Russian S-400 missile systems, the purchase of which formed the basis for Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019. As previously stated in a letter sent to you in November 2021, the experts have noted that Turkey’s provision of modernization kits carries similar collocation risks since Turkey has the Russian S-400s. Turkey’s bellicose behaviour towards Greece – a truly reliable and democratic NATO ally – and the threat posed by the continued possession of the S-400 to NATO’s security architecture cannot go unnoticed as the government considers a deal with the Turkish government.

The administration has an obligation to ensure that US-supplied F-16s are not used to undermine US national security interests, stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the NATO alliance. Therefore, if an agreement to sell F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey is being considered, any agreement must include clear and meaningful mechanisms to stop, delay, or withdraw the transfer of such weapons if Turkey engages in actions that threaten or undermine US national security interests and the unity of the NATO alliance.