Netanyahu Pressures to Prevent Turkey from Getting "F-35" and Engines for Its Local Fighter Jets: "It Will Disturb the Balance of Power"

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked U.S. President Donald Trump not to sell Turkey weapon systems to modernize its air force, amid Israeli opposition to Ankara's attempts to acquire "F-35" fighters and jet engines for its local fighter jet "Kaan," claiming that such a step could disturb the balance of power in the Middle East. According to a reporter from Israel's Channel 12 and the U.S. site "Axios," Netanyahu directly requested Trump to refrain from selling Turkey weapons systems to modernize its air force, while his public statements were made in an interview with the American network "Fox News" broadcast on Monday. According to Israeli and American officials, Netanyahu made his request during a phone call he had with Trump on Friday, during which he complained about anti-Israel statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior Turkish officials. This comes ahead of Trump's visit to Turkey on Tuesday and Wednesday to participate in a NATO summit in Ankara and meet with Erdoğan, while the agenda includes discussions on a $700 million deal to sell new engines for the Turkish air force fighters, along with the possibility of Turkey's return to the "F-35" program. The report indicated that Netanyahu's standing in Washington has diminished in recent months, in light of the war on Iran, and it remains unclear to what extent he can still influence Trump's position, especially given the latter's relationship with Erdoğan and the potential American economic interest in selling arms to Turkey. The report quoted an American official stating that "Netanyahu made a request, and the president listened to him," adding that he might convey a message to Erdoğan meaning, "Maybe you should just tone down your rhetoric on this issue a bit." In the interview with "Fox News," Netanyahu stated that Turkey "does not deserve" to receive "F-35" fighters or jet engines for its aircraft, adding: "Turkey is a wonderful country, but it is led by someone who openly calls for the destruction of Israel, that is Erdoğan." Netanyahu claimed that Erdoğan "occupies half of Cyprus, a NATO country, provokes Greece and other NATO countries, and also speaks openly about the occupation of Jerusalem." It is worth noting that Cyprus is not a member of NATO, contrary to what Netanyahu stated. Netanyahu continued: "For a regime influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, which is an extremist movement that hates America, I do not believe they deserve to receive the F-35 or jet engines for their aircraft, as that would flip the balance of power in the Middle East." Netanyahu stated that he "does not believe" Turkey should receive "F-35" fighters or engines for its planes, "because that would disrupt the balance of power in the region," which he said is ensured by "Israeli air superiority," in addition to "American positioning" in the Middle East. Turkey, which is hosting the NATO summit with the participation of leaders of the 32 member countries of the alliance, is seeking to obtain the American "F-110" engines produced by General Electric, for use in its local stealth fighter "Kaan." Turkey's efforts come at a time when the dispute with Washington continues to prevent Ankara from returning to the "F-35" program, which is the most advanced American fighter produced by Lockheed Martin. Israel remains the only country in the Middle East that possesses this type of fighter. The United States excluded Turkey from the "F-35" program in 2019, after Ankara acquired the Russian "S-400" air defense system in 2017, a step that angered Washington and later led it to impose sanctions on Turkey, affecting its defense projects and the relations between the two countries within NATO. In June, Trump was asked about the possibility of Turkey obtaining "F-110" engines and being readmitted to the "F-35" program, and he replied that it would make Turkish President Erdoğan "very happy." However, any step in this direction requires a green light from the U.S. Congress, a point emphasized by Vice President Jay DeVance, who was present alongside Trump in the Oval Office when he made those statements. The United States developed the "F-35" fighter as part of the "Joint Strike Fighter" program, in partnership with other NATO countries, including Turkey, before Ankara was excluded from the program due to the Russian "S-400" deal.