Turkey is too changeable, especially when it comes to the military, and is always jumping between Russia and the United States, reaping the benefits of it, and enjoying it. It must be noted that the same is true of Turkey's approach to China. The move was made at a time when foreign ** reports that official Turkey was considering the purchase of Chinese J-10CE fighters. But now, the situation has taken a turn for the worse, with Turkey signing a huge military contract with the United States totaling $23 billion, including a plan to purchase and update F-16 fighter jets.
F-16 in service with the Turkish Air Force
As can be seen from the information released by the United States, the number of aircraft purchased by Turkey this time is 40, including 32 F-16C-70 and 8 F-16D 70, the F-16C is mainly used for air operations, and the F-16D is used for long-range strikes. In addition, the United States will assist Turkey in upgrading the Turkish Air Force's 79 F-16 fighter jets, equipping them with a new generation of radar electronic systems, as well as providing the best parts and ammunition for the combat capability of Turkey's entire force.
F-16 in service with the Turkish Air Force
Interestingly, the ** deal between the United States and Turkey looks like a hint at Russia's interests. You must know that the ** deal between the United States and Turkey was carried out after Turkey accepted Sweden as a member of NATO. On the one hand, it spent ** to buy fighter jets from the United States, on the one hand, it gave the United States a geopolitical gift package, and on the other hand, it gave Russia a slap in the face, which is quite a bit of a reconciliation with the United States and "paying protection money".
F-16 in service with the Turkish Air Force
In fact, it is not surprising that Turkey will choose China's J-10CE fighters, because the purchase and sale of arms involves all aspects of international politics, and which side to buy ** from represents the friendship between the two sides. Therefore, the purchase of arms by these countries has actually implied the meaning of "protection money".
F-16 in service with the Turkish Air Force
The United States, as an ally of NATO, has more influence on Turkey than China in East Asia. Moreover, Russia is still fighting in Ukraine, and its strength is not as good as before, and the influence of the United States and others on Europe and the Middle East has surpassed that of Russia, so it is reasonable that Turkey is on the side of the United States.
The F-16 was successfully exported to several countries.
Turkey's move made Russia very angry and hurt. In order to avoid the monopoly of the United States on its own air control power, Turkey once purchased the indigenous air defense system of the Russian S-400. At that time, diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey were at their peak, and Putin personally invited Erdogan to see the Su-57 fighter, and Russia and Turkey conducted a series of strategic games around the situation in Syria and Eastern Europe, which weakened the United States' voice in the Middle East to a certain extent.
Chinese J-10C
However, the United States sold a large amount of strategic profits to Turkey, and Turkey immediately got very close to the United States and conducted an exercise with the United States with the S-400 missiles purchased from Russia, which was equivalent to making Russia's advanced science and technology public, which aroused Russia's disgust. After the stalemate in Russia's "special operation" against Ukraine, Russia has already invested most of its forces in this war and simply has no time to pay attention to the situation in the Middle East and other regions, which brings Turkey closer to the United States.
Chinese J-10C
Like Russia, Turkey has had a similar situation several times in its dealings with China. Turkey, for example, was interested in China's Type 9 anti-tank missiles, but under pressure from the United States, they abandoned their purchases. Now it seems that Turkey is interested in Chinese fighters in order to demand a higher ** from the United States, so as to force the United States to reduce the price and thus obtain greater benefits. The best deal between the United States and Turkey is undoubtedly a win-win situation for the United States and Turkey.
Obviously, if we are going to make a military breakthrough in the future, then we need to break the deadlock and get everyone to agree with China's position in the international community, and then buy Chinese arms. Otherwise, this situation will continue.
Operation Sharp Sword