US notifies Congress of $700 M jet engine sale to Turkey

The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intention to sell dozens of General Electric F110 jet engines worth more than $700 million to Turkey, advancing a deal that has drawn significant congressional opposition. The notification, dated June 24 and delivered late Wednesday, moves the proposed sale forward despite longstanding objections tied to Turkey's continued possession of Russian S-400 air defense systems.

Congress now has 15 days to consider a joint resolution of disapproval to block the sale. Any such measure would require approval in both chambers and could still be vetoed by President Donald Trump. The State Department, in its notification, said the U.S. government is prepared to license the export having taken into account political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations.

The engines are intended to power Turkey's indigenous KAAN fifth-generation fighter program, a flagship defense project launched in 2016 to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Turkish officials have welcomed the development as a step forward in defense relations and a boost to their push for greater self-reliance, though they acknowledge it will...