By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Democrats and Republicans urged President Joe Biden not to sell F-16 fighter planes to Turkey. They said that they believed Congress would stop such an export.

11. Members of the House of Representatives wrote to Biden, U.S. Secretary of States Antony Blinken. They expressed “deep concern” over recent reports suggesting that Turkey might purchase 40 more. Lockheed Martin F-16s (NYSE:) and F-16 modernization kit 80.

This letter, dated October 25, was reviewed by Reuters Tuesday.

According to the legislators, “After President Tayyip Erdogan’s Sept. announcement that Turkey would purchase an additional tranche Russian S-400 ballistic missile defense systems, it is impossible to afford to compromise our national safety by sending U.S.-manufactured airplanes to an ally who continues to behave like an antagonist.”

A request for comment was not received by the White House and State Department immediately.

Reuters reported earlier this month https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-seeks-40-f-16-jets-upgrade-air-force-sources-2021-10-07 that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.

Ankara previously had ordered over 100 Lockheed Martin F-35s. However, the United States removed Turkey in 2019 from its program following the acquisition of Russian S-400s.

This letter was written by Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican Representative, and Carolyn Maloney (Democratic Representative).

According to the letter, “While we have confidence that Congress will resist any exports should these plans proceed,” it stated.

In the last five years, the partnership among NATO allies was tumultuous due to disagreements over Syria, Ankara’s close ties with Moscow and its naval ambitions. The United States also brought charges against an American bank owned by the Turkish state and eroded rights and freedoms within Turkey.