On January 26, 2024, the US State Department approved a potential massive Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Republic of Türkiye for F-16 aircraft acquisition and modernization, along with related equipment, at an estimated cost of $23.0 billion. It is noteworthy that this Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was announced on the same day as the sale of 8 UH-60Ms to Croatia and the sale of 40 F-35As to Greece.
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Türkiye wants to purchase 40 new F-16 aircraft, along with the upgrade of 79 existing F-16s to the more advanced V-Configuration. (Picture source: Türkiye Air Force)

Türkiye has formally requested to purchase 40 new F-16 aircraft and to upgrade 79 existing F-16 aircraft to the more advanced V-Configuration. The request encompasses a range of critical components, including 32 F-16 C Block 70 aircraft and 8 F-16 D Block 70 aircraft, along with various essential systems and equipment.

The proposed package includes 48 F110-GE-129D engines, with 40 to be installed and 8 held as spares. Additionally, it features 149 Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDGs), distributed as 40 for installation, 10 as spares, and 99 for the modernization program, where 79 will be installed and 20 kept as spares. iPDGs enhance cockpit displays, aiding pilots in monitoring and controlling the aircraft's systems, targeting, and navigation.

To improve the F-16's radar capabilities for target detection and tracking, 149 AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR) are included, with 40 for installation, 10 as spares, and 99 for the modernization program, where 79 will be installed and 20 held as spares.

Playing a central role in processing data and ensuring efficient communication between various onboard systems, 169 units of Modular Mission Computers (MMCs), of which 40 will be installed, 10 reserved as spares, and 119 assigned to the modernization program (79 installed and 40 spares).

The package also contains 159 Embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI), which provide precise navigation and targeting capabilities, each equipped with either a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or a M-Code capability and Precise Positioning Service (PPS). Specifically, 40 will be installed, 8 will serve as spares, and 111 will support the modernization program (79 installed, 32 spares).

Additionally, 168 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) or equivalent Electronic Warfare (EW) systems will be provided, with 40 for installation, 10 as spares, and 118 assigned to the modernization program (79 installed, 39 spares). These systems will enhance electronic warfare capabilities, including the detection and jamming of enemy radar and communication signals.

The armament and munitions included in the sale are extensive, comprising 858 LAU-129 guided missile launchers, to enable the F-16 to carry and launch various air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, 44 M61 Vulcan cannons (40 installed, 4 spares), to offer close-range air-to-air and ground attack capabilities, and 16 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, to provide advanced target tracking and reconnaissance capabilities.

To facilitate secure and efficient communication between aircraft and ground stations, enhancing coordination and situational awareness, the package also includes 151 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS) - 40 for installation and 4 ground terminals, 8 as spares, and 99 for the modernization program (79 for installation and 4 ground terminals, 16 spares).

In terms of armament, the sale incorporates 952 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-8 or equivalent missiles, along with 96 AMRAAM guidance sections. Additionally, 864 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment 1 (SDB-1) are included, as well as 2 GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 guided test vehicles and 2 GBU-39(T-1)/B SDB-1 practice bombs.

The package encompasses 96 AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and 96 AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM), along with 10 AARGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 11 AARGM control sections, and 12 AARGM guidance sections. Air-to-air missile capabilities are further augmented by 401 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, 12 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance units, and 12 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units.

Additional munitions include 12 MK82 Inert Filled general-purpose bombs, 850 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) KMU-556 tail kits for GBU-31, 200 JDAM KMU-557 tail kits for GBU-31v3, 384 JDAM KMU-559 tail kits for GBU-32, and 3 JDAM KMU-572 tail kits for GBU-38 or Laser JDAM GBU-54. Moreover, 1,050 FMU-152 fuzes are part of the proposed sale.

Finally, the package also features a wide range of additional equipment and support services, including training missiles, cryptographic devices, software, publications, logistics support, engineering services, and support equipment to maintain, repair, and sustain the Turkish F-16 fleet over its operational lifespan.