America News Agency

United States Ambassador to Turkey, Jeffrey Flake, announced that a significant forward step has been taken regarding Turkey's procurement of the latest F-16 Block 70 combat aircraft and modernization of its current F-16 fleet.

Flake emphasized that this is a good step regarding U.S. national security, Turkey's national security, and NATO interoperability, and thanked the Turkish Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their intensive efforts."

A statement from the U.S. Department of State's Political-Military Affairs Bureau was as follows:

"The United States is proud to announce that today, a significant forward step has been taken by Turkey regarding the procurement of the latest F-16 Block 70 combat aircraft, which are only provided to the closest allies and partners, as the most advanced combat aircraft ever produced. This is just one of the latest examples of the United States' unwavering commitment to the security it has established with Turkey."

The U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated in his release, "Turkey has signed an offer and acceptance letter to purchase the F16s. This sale invests in NATO interoperability, and the United States support Turkey's national security interests and alliances."