The Minister of Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar and his colleague from the USA Lloyd Austin talked by phone, and among the topics in the focus of the conversation was the delivery of F-16 aircraft to Turkey, Turkish state television TRT Haber reported.

According to a Turkish ministry statement, the two exchanged information and views on security and defense issues affecting NATO, bilateral and regional issues, developments in Ukraine, and the fight against terrorism.

Turkey wants to buy 40 new F-16s and 79 upgrade kits for its existing fleet after its participation in the F-35 jet project was terminated due to the deployment of Russia's S-400 air defense system.

Turkey and the US will have new talks on the F-16 in mid-August