A key stage in the U.S. congressional notification process for the sale of F110 engines to be used in Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter jet has been completed without Congress blocking the transaction.
The U.S. State Department formally notified Congress on June 24 of the proposed sale, which includes work related to F110-GE-129E/F engines for the fifth-generation aircraft.
Several members of Congress later introduced a joint resolution seeking to halt the sale during the 15-day review period that applies to NATO allies, according to information provided on the process.
The resolution, submitted to both the House of Representatives and the Senate, sought to block the planned sale of certain defense equipment, services and related support to Türkiye.
However, the resolution was not brought to the floor of either chamber before the review window expired on July 9.
As a result, the F110 engine sale moved ahead without a congressional block at this stage.
The notified package covers integration, assembly, external modification, certification, testing, defense services and technical data transfer related to the engines that will power KAAN.
Lawmakers who sought to block the sale included Democratic Representative Dina Titus of Nevada and several other Democratic members of Congress.
Some of the signatories have previously opposed defense sales to Türkiye, including earlier exports linked to the F-16 fighter jet program.
Under U.S. arms export rules, major defense sales are subject to congressional review after the State Department formally notifies Congress.
For sales to NATO allies, the review period lasts 15 calendar days. During that period, members of Congress may seek to block a proposed sale through a joint resolution.
For such a resolution to take effect, it must be approved by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by the president. If vetoed, Congress would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override the veto.
Since no vote was held before the review period expired, no legislative step to stop the F110 engine sale was completed.
The next phase is expected to involve technical and commercial negotiations between the U.S. administration, relevant agencies, the engine manufacturer and Turkish authorities.
Those talks are expected to focus on the delivery schedule, engine integration, testing and certification activities.
