US Weighs F-35 Sale to Türkiye
The United States is very seriously considering an F-35 sale to Türkiye, according to President Donald Trump, reopening a long running dispute over Ankara’s role in the Joint Strike Fighter program.
Speaking Monday during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, Trump said Washington was actively reviewing the possibility of selling the stealth fighter to Türkiye. The remarks mark the clearest public signal yet that the White House may reconsider Türkiye’s exclusion from the program.
Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after it acquired Russia’s S-400 air defense system, triggering CAATSA sanctions under US law. Since then, Ankara has pushed for reentry or compensation, arguing that its removal undermined NATO interoperability.
Sanctions, Israel, and Regional Concerns
Israeli officials have opposed a potential F-35 sale to Türkiye, citing concerns that the aircraft could shift the regional military balance. Israel has long relied on US policy that preserves its qualitative military edge.
Trump downplayed the risk of conflict, calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a very good friend and saying tensions between Israel and Türkiye would not escalate.
During his first term, Trump approved F-35 sales to the United Arab Emirates following the Abraham Accords. He has also voiced support for potential F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia, signaling a broader willingness to revisit long standing restrictions.
Türkiye’s Fighter Fleet Plans
While pursuing F-35s, Türkiye has continued to modernize its air force through other channels. In 2024, Ankara finalized a $7 billion deal for 40 F-16 fighters from the United States, though Turkish officials raised concerns about cost and delivery timelines.
More recently, Türkiye signed an agreement with the United Kingdom for 20 Eurofighter Typhoons and plans to acquire additional secondhand aircraft from Qatar and Oman. Deliveries from Qatar could begin as early as next year.
Indigenous Programs and Strategic Context
Türkiye has invested heavily in domestic defense production after facing repeated arms embargoes. Its KAAN fifth generation fighter, now in development, is intended to replace aging F-16s starting in the 2030s.
Any decision on an F-35 sale to Türkiye would require navigating US law, congressional oversight, and alliance politics, making the issue a key test of Washington’s approach to NATO cohesion and Middle East security.
