The first formal congressional initiative to overturn the proposed sale of General Electric engines to Turkey has been introduced in the US House of Representatives by Democratic Representative Dina Titus. The joint resolution of disapproval seeks to block the proposed deal, worth approximately $700 million, relating to Turkey’s KAAN fighter aircraft program, although the chances of preventing the sale are widely regarded as limited.

First congressional move against the sale

Dina Titus has initiated the Joint Resolution of Disapproval process, challenging the notification submitted by the US administration to Congress regarding the sale of General Electric engines to Turkey.

The proposed agreement, valued at around $700 million, is linked to the development programme for Turkey’s KAAN fighter aircraft.

The congresswoman argues that the transfer of this technology could further destabilise the Eastern Mediterranean and strengthen the military capabilities of a country which, she notes, has repeatedly threatened allies of both the United States and NATO.

Resolution covers the entire technical support package

The text of the resolution extends beyond the supply of F110-GE-129E/F engines. It seeks to prohibit the transfer of defence articles, defence services and technical data required for the integration, installation, external modifications, certification, assembly and testing of the engines for Turkey’s TF-X (KAAN) fighter aircraft.

In other words, the proposed agreement is not limited to the sale of the engines themselves but includes the full package of technical support, services and expertise required to make them operational in Turkey’s domestically developed fighter aircraft.

What the congressional process involves

The submission of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval is the legislative mechanism through which Congress may attempt to block a proposed arms sale that has already been formally notified by the US administration.

However, introducing such a resolution does not automatically suspend the sale. It simply triggers the congressional review process provided for under the Arms Export Control Act.

For the agreement to be legally blocked, the resolution must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, before becoming law either through the signature of the President of the United States or through congressional approval overriding a presidential veto.

Limited prospects of stopping the deal

Given the current political landscape in Washington and the absence of broad bipartisan opposition to the proposed sale, such an outcome is considered highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, should the resolution ultimately become law, the transfer of the equipment in question to Turkey would not be permitted to proceed.

The resolution has already been referred to the relevant House committee, and the process must be completed before the expiry of the 15-day congressional review period, which began on 24 June, when the US Department of State formally transmitted the notification to Congress.

Sale to proceed through Foreign Military Sales programme

The text of the resolution also clarifies the nature of the transaction.

Although there had previously been reports that the engines would be transferred through a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS), the resolution makes clear that the transaction is instead being conducted under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Under the FMS framework, the United States Government acts as the official seller. The US Department of State approves the transaction, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notifies Congress, and, once all statutory procedures have been completed, the agreement is implemented on a government-to-government basis between the United States and the recipient country.