US defense secretary discussed support for Turkish military modernization with counterpart

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin takes part in a NATO Defence Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed support for Turkey's military modernization during a call with his Turkish counterpart, according to a U.S. readout released late on Monday after Turkey said it would back Sweden's NATO accession.

Turkey requested in October 2021 to buy $20 billion of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.