Saudi committee to visit İncirlik base prior to fighter jet deployment

Uğur Ergan – ANKARA

A delegation from Saudi Arabia was expected to arrive at İncirlik air base in Turkey’s south on Feb. 24 in order to conduct preliminary research for four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets it will send in support of the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) coalition. 

The committee comprised of members of the Saudi Arabian air force is expected to investigate the aerodrome in which the jets will be housed and how and where the Saudi officers will be accommodated. 

The four Saudi Arabian F-15E Strike Eagle jets were expected to reach İncirlik in the southern province of Adana before Feb. 29. 

On Feb. 14, Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz had said the Saudi Arabian jets had not yet arrived in turkey, as claimed by a high-level Saudi Arabian officer, but “four F-16 fighter jets will come, the decision has been made [and] the exploration has been conducted.” 

Saudi Arabia – together with Israel – is the country with the second most F-15 type fighter jets in the world, after the U.S. 

The F-15E jets show a resemblance to the Russian SU-30 type aircrafts, which are deployed in Syria. 

The Saudi Arabian jets are expected to be used in airstrikes against ISIL targets, within the framework of the U.S-led coalition.

Currently, Incirlik is hosting aircraft from Britain, the U.S., Germany and Qatar.