Pappas Welcomes Defense Bill Language On Territorial Overflights, Urges Accountability for Violations

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, welcomed language in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 making clear that Congress does not support NATO allies conducting “unauthorized territorial overflights of another NATO ally’s airspace.”

This statement was made following Pappas and colleague’s continued bipartisan advocacy to limit the Biden Administration's ability to sell F-16s and F-16 modernization kits to Turkey. Turkey has used its existing F-16 fleet to repeatedly violate Greece’s sovereignty and territorial airspace. As the Erdogan government continues to breach numerous UN Security Council resolutions, violate Greek sovereignty with unauthorized territorial overflights, and question Greece’s territorial claims in the Aegean, Pappas remains an opponent to any sales of F-16s or modernization kits to Turkey. 

“While the message is clear that Congress is united with respect to a nation’s sovereignty and any unauthorized territorial overflights on fellow NATO allies is unacceptable, accountability for such violations is still necessary to prevent conflict between NATO allies,” said Congressman Pappas. “That is why I will continue working to block the sale of F-16s to Turkey and to hold the Erdogan government accountable.”

Background:

In November 2022, Pappas led a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging House and Senate leadership to retain his amendment to limit the Biden Administration’s ability to sell F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Turkey in the final National Defense Authorization Act.

In September 2022, Pappas released a statement condemning Turkish President Erdogan’s inflammatory remarks at the United Nations General Assembly. 

In August 2022, Pappas led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in expressing concern about recent reports that Turkey is considering further acquisitions of Russian S-400 missile defense systems.

In July 2022, Pappas secured an amendment in the House National Defense Authorization Act to limit the sale of F-16s to Turkey.

In November 2021, Pappas led a bipartisan letter expressing concerns about the sale of F-16s to Turkey.