US Senate defeats bid to stop F-16 fighter jet sale to Turkey.

WASHINGTON, Feb 29 - The U.S. Senate decisively rejected an attempt to block the $23 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits to Turkey, approved by President Joe Biden's administration following Turkey's endorsement of Sweden's NATO membership.

In a 79 to 13 vote, the Senate dismissed a resolution introduced by Republican Senator Rand Paul to disapprove of the sale. Before the vote, Paul criticized Turkey, arguing that approving the sale would encourage its "misbehaviour." However, proponents of the sale emphasized the importance of honouring commitments to a NATO ally.

The Biden administration formally notified Congress on Jan. 26 of its plan to sell 40 Lockheed Martin F-16s and nearly 80 upgrade kits to Turkey, following Ankara's full ratification of Sweden's NATO membership.

The sale had faced delays, partly due to Turkey's initial refusal to endorse Sweden's NATO accession, a request made by Turkey in October 2021.

Under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, Congress can halt significant arms sales by passing a resolution of disapproval in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Despite the law being in effect for 50 years, no such resolution has been passed by Congress and withstood a presidential veto.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO. While Finland's membership was confirmed last year, Sweden's application was delayed by Turkey and Hungary, as all NATO members must approve new applications.

अमेरिकी सीनेट ने तुर्की को एफ-16 लड़ाकू विमान की बिक्री रोकने की कोशिश को हरा दिया।