US and Türkiye are continuing negotiations on the F-16 Block 70 sale, focusing on pricing, configuration, and technology access as Ankara seeks terms it calls fair within NATO cooperation.
Negotiations over Ankara’s planned acquisition of F-16 Block 70s remain active, with officials from both governments working through contractual details and technical requirements. The talks underscore ongoing efforts to finalize a long-discussed procurement that remains central to the Turkish Air Force modernization plan.
The F-16 Block 70, also marketed as the F-16V, is the most advanced production variant of Lockheed Martin’s Fighting Falcon family, featuring an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, upgraded mission systems, and improved avionics. It is designed to sustain frontline service into the 2040s.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly underscored Ankara’s expectation that any agreement reflect alliance cooperation principles, stressing that pricing and technology transfer must align with NATO partnership norms.
The deal has been discussed for years. The United States Congress approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of up to 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and related equipment in early 2024 under a proposed package valued at about $23 billion, with Lockheed Martin as the principal contractor.
Despite that approval, Ankara and Washington have not finalized contract terms. Recent reporting indicates Turkey is pushing for access to deeper technology elements, including mission computer source code to integrate Turkish sensors and weapons systems, a point Washington has traditionally guarded.
Pricing disagreements and production backlogs at Lockheed Martin have also been part of the ongoing talks. Bloomberg and other outlets reported additional meetings scheduled between Turkish officials and Lockheed representatives to resolve a pricing dispute, including aircraft configuration and upgrade scopes.
Türkiye’s broader air force modernization includes parallel discussions with European partners over Eurofighter Typhoon acquisitions, part of Ankara’s strategy to diversify its fighter fleet beyond legacy F-16 models.
The Turkish Air Force operates more than 230 F-16s across multiple older blocks. Upgrading to the Block 70 standard has been seen as key to maintaining interoperability with NATO forces while closing capability gaps with regional peers.
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