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US ready to approve $700 million engine package for KAAN
The US administration has brought a defense package worth over $700 million covering General Electric engines for Turkey's national fighter jet KAAN to the approval stage, according to Reuters. The decision is seen as a strategic gesture ahead of the NATO summit.
According to information based on sources close to the matter cited by international news agency Reuters, the huge defense package includes General Electric-made engines, vital for KAAN's testing and initial production phases. The total financial value of the deal is said to exceed $700 million.
Strategic gesture before NATO summit
The Washington administration's move to bring this sale to the approval stage ahead of Turkey's hosting of the critical NATO Leaders' Summit on July 7-8 is seen as a major 'alliance gesture' towards Ankara. This step, coming at a time when defense spending is being debated within the alliance, is also clear evidence that the ice between the two countries is thawing.
No retreat despite Democrat obstacle in Congress
There was also a behind-the-scenes diplomatic battle behind the sale process. It was learned that senior Democrat member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks opposed the package and resisted giving approval.
However, the Trump administration is expected to bypass these objections to officially complete the sale in the coming days and make the official notification to Congress through the US State Department.
Critical threshold for KAAN
With its historic MMU (National Combat Aircraft) project launched in 2016, Turkey aims to renew its F-16 fleet in the air force and completely end its foreign dependency.
Although the ultimate goal is to produce 100 percent domestic engines, these engines were a technical necessity during KAAN's first flight and testing processes until mass production. The US advancing the supply process will also ensure that KAAN's mass production schedule runs smoothly.
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