Erdogan says Turkey in talks with US on sale of F-16 fighter jets

Turkish president says the US proposed the sale of F-16 fighter jets in return for its investment in the F-35 programme.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United States proposed selling F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in return for its investment in the F-35 programme, from which Ankara was removed after purchasing missile defence systems from Russia.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday before departing for a trip to Africa, Erdogan said Turkey wants a return for its investment in the F-35 programme and that talks on the issue are ongoing.

“There is the payment of $1.4bn we have made for the F-35s and the US had such a proposal in return for these payments,” Erdogan said.