US finally approves sale of F-16 Block 70s to Turkey

After a two-year delay, Turkey has finally gained approval from the US government to acquire 40 new-build F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters and 79 F-16V upgrade kits in a deal worth approximately $23bn. Ankara has had a long-standing requirement to recapitalise and upgrade its F-16C/D fleet but was initially blocked from acquiring the new Block 70 aircraft (and upgrading its existing ‘Vipers’ to the similar F-16V standard) primarily because of Turkey’s opposition to Sweden’s accession into the NATO