![Turkey: Is Erdogan turning to Britain to buy fighters? The 3 factors behind the US F-16 block](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/erdogan-turkey-600x368.jpg)
A few days after Mevlut Cavusoglu’s meeting with Antony Blinken, where Ankara did not achieve what it expected regarding the acquisition of F16 fighters, the Turkish media has returned to the subject, with reports that speak of an agreement between Turkey and Great Britain for armament programs.
Analysts believe that the US block on the F16 sale is part of the diplomatic game between Turkey and the US for Sweden’s accession to NATO. They note at the same time that a decision will hardly be made in America on the F16 issue before the presidential elections.
But Erdogan is in a hurry, and he wants to have some success in the matter, as a pre-election trump card. That is why, according to the Turkish media, it is turning to Great Britain for the purchase of fighters.
Erdogan is turning to Great Britain for equipment
Turkey‘s agreement with Great Britain for equipment includes the purchase of 24 to 48 Eurofighters, some of which are used, 3 frigates and C130 transport plane, as the SKAI channel correspondent reported from Istanbul, citing Turkish media.
“We urgently need new fighters so that the Greeks don’t run off at the mouth”, they say. The 3 factors behind the American block on F16s
Erdogan himself sees that it is very difficult to get a positive response for the F-16s before the May 14 election, as the US does not want to give him this gift.
“The Americans “punished” Ankara”, Ioannis Baltzois, vice general, president of the Institute of Strategic Studies, noted on ERT channel, analyzing the American blockade of the F16s.
“So we see that somehow until the elections on May 14, the decision of the Americans is not expected to be made. So do the Americans want to kick Turkey out of NATO? Not America’s deep state and not the American government. But they want to punish or discipline it or when they manipulate her for this attitude,” he said.
According to Mr. Baltzoi, “there are three factors in the decision of the Americans to give the F-16s. The economic factor. The whole package is 20 billion, i.e. the planes don’t go through, weapons systems, bombs, air missiles also go through. That’s a lot of money. Also, America owes Turkey because it had entered the F-35 program and has not returned the money, but despite everything, America should have its industries around 17-18 billion.
The second factor is the NATO factor. That is, America definitely wants Sweden and Finland to join NATO, especially at this time, and there is one country, Turkey, that is making it difficult. Hungary will say “yes” at some point, it is waiting to see what Turkey will do,” noted Mr. Baltzoi.
“Turkey is in a difficult position”
The third factor is the Iran syndrome held by the United States. When they lost Iran, the Americans also lost control of the Middle East. They cannot intervene in the Middle East, as in the past” he said and continued:
“While they had made an initial agreement to start withdrawing from Syria and to occupy these areas. My information is that no units have left there when they said they would, and a meeting of Mr. Cavusoglu with the other two foreign ministers of Syria and Russia is expected, but it has not been announced yet. So this issue is bogged down as well. Turkey is in a difficult position at the moment, and for this very harsh voices are also heard in America.”
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country