Turkey Renewed Push for F-35 Program Return
Turkey has urged reentry into the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, saying its return would bolster NATO security and help mend ties with the United States. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan framed the proposal as both strategic and necessary, underscoring that Ankara has already paid for jets that were never delivered.
Erdogan told Bloomberg in written comments that Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 consortium over its 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems was unjust. He cited recent meetings with US President Donald Trump as opening an opportunity to reset ties and revisit the issue.
Reintegration Seen as NATO Security Contributor
Erdogan emphasized that delivering the F-35s Turkey has paid for and reintegrating Ankara into the program would strengthen NATO’s southern flank and overall alliance defense. He said this outcome would be “important and necessary” for both NATO and bilateral US-Turkey relations.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after it accepted delivery of the Russian S-400 system, which Washington and NATO officials have said poses security risks to F-35 technology. The Turkish president has repeatedly called the decision unfair and voiced a desire to resolve outstanding issues.
Broader Strategic Context
In his remarks, Erdogan also touched on broader defense and diplomatic priorities, including talks with the US over energy partnerships and legal disputes involving Turkey’s state bank. He said Ankara is balancing its energy security needs and acting in line with national interests.
The push to rejoin the F-35 program comes amid ongoing discussions between Ankara and Washington about defense cooperation, and reports that resolving the S-400 dispute remains a key sticking point under US law.
