US reviews F-35 path as Türkiye seeks defense deals
WASHINGTON
The United States is reviewing how it could move forward on Türkiye’s long-standing request for F-35 fighter jets as Ankara also seeks U.S.-made engines for its domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft.
The issue returned to focus after President Donald Trump said during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that he would likely take a step that would make Türkiye “very happy” when asked about Ankara’s request for F-35s and jet engines.
Trump stressed Türkiye’s role in NATO, calling it a strong member of the alliance, and said he planned to attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on July 7-8 out of respect for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“People don’t know how big Türkiye is in terms of the military,” Trump said, noting that Ankara has a strong force and uses substantial U.S. military equipment.
Vice President JD Vance said U.S. officials were examining whether the legal conditions existed for a possible F-35 sale, given Türkiye’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2019.
“Pete and the entire team are reviewing this right now,” Vance told reporters, referring to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
He said certain certifications would be required to comply with U.S. law before the administration could announce a decision.
The United States suspended Türkiye from the F-35 program in 2019 after objecting to the S-400 purchase, arguing that the Russian system could endanger the stealth fighter and was incompatible with NATO systems.
Türkiye has rejected those claims, saying the two systems would not be integrated, and has proposed a technical commission to examine the matter.
Ankara says its return to the F-35 program would strengthen both Türkiye and NATO’s southern flank.
The F-35 review comes as the Trump administration is also expected to proceed with a proposed $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines for KAAN, according to U.S. media reports.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, placed a hold on the sale over Türkiye’s continued possession of the S-400 system, as well as concerns related to Syria and Greece.
Meeks criticized the administration’s decision to move ahead, saying it reflected “contempt for Congress’s oversight authority.”
A U.S. administration official defended the move, saying officials had maintained regular communication with Congress and briefed lawmakers on the issue.
The engine sale is important for KAAN, Türkiye’s fifth-generation fighter jet program, which Ankara sees as central to its long-term defense industry strategy.
The discussions are unfolding ahead of the Ankara NATO summit, where Trump is expected to meet Erdoğan.