Turkey is in positive talks with the United States over its request to purchase F-16 fighter jets and kits to upgrade its existing fleet, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, Anadolu reported.

"Both the meetings held with U.S. delegations coming to Turkey and the contacts of the Turkish delegation to the U.S., with members of Congress, were held in a positive atmosphere, and the ground was laid for continued contacts," he said.

Turkey has applied to buy 40 Block 70 Viper F-16 fighters and up to 80 upgrade kits for its existing F-16 fleet.