President Donald Trump is expected to support the restoration of Turkey’s access to the F-35 fighter jet program during his visit to Ankara for a NATO summit, according to reports. Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that the move is part of an effort to strengthen ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2020 after acquiring Russian S-400 air defense systems, which Washington argued posed a security risk to U.S. combat aircraft. Current U.S. law prohibits the sale of F-35s to Turkey as long as the S-400 system remains in its possession. Potential solutions, including the transfer of the Russian hardware to a third country, are reportedly under review by the Trump administration, though no formal agreement has been reached.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is conducting a review to determine if Turkey can meet the legal requirements for reentry. The potential policy shift faces significant opposition, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned on Fox News that providing such advanced technology to Turkey could destabilize the regional balance of power.
The administration recently proceeded with a $700 million sale of jet engines for Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter, despite objections from some members of Congress. Both the White House and the Turkish Foreign Ministry have yet to provide official comment on the reported F-35 discussions.