U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that positive developments regarding the U.S. sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara and Canada’s potential lifting of its arms embargo could influence Turkey’s parliament to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Sweden and Finland sought to join NATO in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Turkey, a NATO member, raised objections over their perceived protection of groups Ankara considers terrorists. While Turkey endorsed Finland’s NATO membership bid earlier, Sweden has faced delays.
Erdogan mentioned that progress on the U.S. F-16 deal and Canada’s reassessment of its arms embargo would contribute to a favorable approach in Turkey’s parliament toward Sweden’s NATO bid. Turkey has sought to purchase 40 F-16 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. The Biden administration supports the $20 billion sale, but objections in the U.S. Congress are tied to Turkey’s delays in supporting Sweden’s NATO entry and its human rights record.
Erdogan revealed that in a recent call with U.S. President Joe Biden, they discussed Sweden’s NATO accession. According to Erdogan, Biden expressed willingness to facilitate the F-16 sale in Congress if Turkey supports Sweden’s NATO bid. Canada is also reportedly reconsidering its arms export controls on drone parts, including optical equipment, following Erdogan’s signal that Sweden would receive Ankara’s approval. These interconnected developments suggest a potential diplomatic breakthrough with implications for both defense procurement and NATO expansion.
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