US Moves Ahead With $700 Million Jet Engine Sale to Türkiye
The United States moved ahead with a proposed $700 million jet engine sale to Türkiye this week, the Emirates News Agency reported citing a notification from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency to Congress. The deal covers GE Aerospace F110-GE-129 engines along with spare parts, support equipment and technical services for the Turkish Air Force’s existing F-16 aircraft. The notification initiates a 30-day congressional review period standard for such Foreign Military Sales.
The Emirates News Agency reported that the proposed sale will improve the reliability and operational availability of Türkiye’s F-16 fleet without requiring US government personnel in country. A DSCA assessment found the transaction supports US foreign policy goals by aiding a NATO ally in maintaining its air force readiness. The agency stated the sale would not disrupt the regional military balance.
US State Department records from 2024 document approval of a larger package worth approximately $23 billion that included 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters and modernization for 79 existing jets. That earlier approval followed Türkiye’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership and aimed to bolster alliance capabilities. The current $700 million engine notification addresses propulsion needs within that framework.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute figures show US arms deliveries to Türkiye totaled more than $1.1 billion between 2013 and 2022 before experiencing a slowdown over disputes including the S-400 system acquisition from Russia. Recent notifications indicate renewed cooperation on select defense items. SIPRI data places Türkiye among the top 15 global arms importers during that decade.
GE Aerospace has produced the F110 engine family since the 1980s with more than 3,000 units delivered worldwide according to company program data. The powerplant equips multiple international F-16 operators and is noted for its thrust and maintenance characteristics. Integration with Türkiye’s fleet would follow established technical protocols already in use by the air force.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies lists Türkiye as operating roughly 240 F-16s making it one of the largest fleets outside the United States. The Military Balance report published by the IISS underscores the aircraft’s central role in Turkish air power projection. Additional engine purchases support long-term sustainment of this inventory amid ongoing regional security requirements.
Congressional review of the notification will run its standard course with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency available to provide briefings as requested. The sale if cleared would be executed through the US Foreign Military Sales program that oversees logistics and training packages. No immediate timeline for delivery was included in the notification details released this week.
