Following discussions at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed optimism about Türkiye’s potential reinstatement into the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. Erdoğan’s confidence stems from what he described as a positive stance from U.S. President Donald Trump on the matter.
Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after it purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system, which the United States argued could jeopardize the security of the F-35 technology and its compatibility with NATO systems. This decision led to Washington imposing sanctions on Türkiye’s defense procurement agency under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Erdoğan stated that Ankara is looking for Washington’s verbal assurances to be followed by practical measures and emphasized that discussions between the two nations are ongoing. The issue continues to be a significant point of contention in Türkiye-U.S. defense relations, with Türkiye actively seeking a resolution and a potential return to the F-35 program.
The removal from the program and subsequent sanctions have been a central challenge in bilateral defense engagements, and Türkiye remains committed to finding a path forward. The outcome of these discussions could have lasting implications on the strategic defense partnership between the two countries.