Turkey, U.S. Complete Technical Negotiations to Sell F-16 Block 70 Jets to Ankara

Turkey and the United States have reportedly concluded their technical negotiations regarding Turkey's acquisition of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets.

This was reported by SavunmaSanayiST quoting defense ministry sources. Ministry sources expressed a strong desire for a swift and positive resolution of the procurement deal, emphasizing that it should not be subject to any additional conditions. They told the outlet, “We want this process to be concluded positively and quickly as soon as possible… We express once again that this issue should not be subject to any conditions.”

The procurement of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets by Turkey encompasses the acquisition of 40 brand-new F-16 fighter jets and the upgrading of 79 existing F-16s to the Block 70 configuration. Additionally, the procurement is said to include a substantial quantity of spare parts and ammunition.

Estimates regarding the overall cost of this procurement have varied. While Reuters has reported an approximate cost of $20 billion, experts in the defense industry have cast doubts on this figure, suggesting it may not be entirely realistic.

The F-16 Block 70/72 modernization program involves upgrading these fighter jets to a 4++ generation classification. This upgrade includes hardware and structural enhancements compared to earlier F-16 models. A pivotal aspect of the Viper modernization program is the replacement of the existing radar system with the advanced APG-83 Active Phased Array (AESA) radar, which is manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

This radar integration is expected to significantly enhance the situational awareness of the F-16s. The modernized F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft will also feature a 6” x 8” high-resolution screen, an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS), and more advanced weapon stations designed to optimize the use of the AESA radar and control of pod data.

Furthermore, the procurement includes the integration of new ammunition and missile systems, with a focus on the AGM-88E, as well as the inclusion of new-generation electronic warfare equipment, the IRST pod, and advanced targeting pods for use on the aircraft.