FLASH
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Starting in the 1990s, numerous clashes between Greek and Turkish pilots have resulted in deaths, with the most recent in 2018.
Alliances need balance and delicacy. Turkey's parliament formally approved Sweden's entry into NATO last week, finally removing the biggest obstacle to Stockholm's accession.
In return, the US State Department has notified Congress that it will now approve the sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, plus kits to modernize Ankara's existing Vipers. Not a bad deal, but what Turkey really wants is what its rivals/allies across the Aegean are getting: the F-35.
The Biden administration is approving a $9 billion sale to Greece of 20 top-of-the-line Lockheed F-35 fighter jets. Or as analysts call it a benefit of good relations. Turkey, on the other hand, lost its chance to acquire the newest equipment after purchasing Russian anti-aircraft missiles in 2019, against strong American objections.
And much is at stake in the balance of air power between the two nominal NATO allies as they contest control over areas of the Aegean Sea. Starting in the 1990s, numerous clashes between Greek and Turkish pilots have resulted in deaths, with the most recent in 2018.
When the Greeks have flown the less capable French-made Mirage jets, they have tended to get the worst of it, so leapfrogging Turkey's air power could change the status quo in their favour.
Congress will have 15 days to review the agreements. Next, attention will be paid to Hungary, the last remaining obstacle to Sweden's NATO membership. Considering that Budapest has nothing close to the economic, military or political weight of Ankara, it asked Stockholm for negotiations to unlock the already blocked by the EU. /Adapted "Pamphlet" from "Gzero"
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