Trump is Considering Returning Turkey to the F-35 Fighter Program

SadaNews - The New York Times revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump intends to inform Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of his readiness to return Turkey to the F-35 fighter program, in a move that could represent a significant shift in defense relations between the two countries.

According to the report, which quoted four senior officials in the U.S. administration, Trump is expected to raise this issue during his upcoming meeting with Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.

The newspaper added that officials differed on the mechanism the U.S. administration could use to bypass legal restrictions and congressional limitations; however, they indicated the possibility of an official exchange of messages between the two leaders paving the way for Turkey's reintegration into the program.

There was no immediate comment from the White House regarding the newspaper's report, according to Reuters.

The United States had excluded Turkey from the F-35 fighter program in 2019 after Ankara purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system, considering the operation of the Russian system alongside advanced American fighters a threat to military technology security.

Washington also imposed sanctions on Turkey under the "CAATSA" law, while Congress passed legislation that prohibits the sale of F-35 fighters to Turkey as long as it retains the S-400 system.

Despite this ongoing dispute, relations between Washington and Ankara have improved in recent times. Last month, the Trump administration officially notified Congress of its intention to approve the sale of dozens of aircraft engines to Turkey in a deal exceeding $700 million, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.

Observers believe that reopening the F-35 issue reflects both sides' desire to rebuild defense cooperation within NATO, especially in light of the security changes occurring in the region. However, any practical step will still be contingent upon the approval of the U.S. Congress and finding a legal solution to the S-400 issue, which remains the main obstacle to Turkey's return to the program.