WASHINGTON, DC – Greek-American Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, on January 13 released the following statement opposing the Biden Administration’s plan to request that Congress approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey:

“More than a year ago, I expressed my concerns to the Biden Administration over the potential sale of new F-16 fighter jets and other weapons of war to the Erdogan government,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “Since then, Turkey’s behavior and rhetoric have only increased concerns over any potential sales to Turkey. Not only does Turkey continue to violate the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), it has threatened further violations. Turkey has also unjustifiably held up the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO, undertaken a record number of unauthorized incursions with military aircraft over Greek territory and national airspace, and constantly threatens Greece with war.”

“That Turkey could potentially be given American weapons, in clear violation of CAATSA, to conduct military operations against a NATO ally is unimaginable. But that is the exact prospect that this notification to Congress raises. Until the concerns I’ve expressed and the concerns raised by subsequent Turkish actions are addressed, I will continue working to prevent F-16s or any other American-made weapons from falling into Erdogan’s hands. This sale should not go forward, and I’ll oppose any plan brought before Congress.”

Background:
On July 5th, Rep. Pappas, along with members of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues released a statement addressing the Biden Administration’s statement on F-16 sales to Turkey
In May, Congressman Pappas announced his opposition to the Biden administration’s proposal to sell advanced weapons and equipment to Turkey in light of its continued violation of U.S. law and its increasingly belligerent rhetoric and aggression towards Greece.

In November 2021, Pappas led over 40 House members in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken opposing US plans to sell Turkey F-16sand demanding information from the State Department following recent reports of a request from Turkey to purchase 40 F-16 fighter jets and dozens of modernization kits for its existing warplanes from the United States.