Washington is engaged in discussions with Ankara regarding Turkey’s potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program, according to the United States Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrack. These talks are ongoing, and Washington hopes they will yield a breakthrough in the coming months.
In a statement, Ambassador Barrack emphasized that the discussions revolve around both Turkey’s desire to rejoin the F-35 program and its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. He stated that US law prohibits Turkey from operating or possessing the S-400 system if it wishes to be reinstated into the F-35 program.
The United States suspended Turkey from the F-35 program, developed by Lockheed Martin, and imposed sanctions in 2020 following Ankara’s purchase of the S-400 system. US officials have expressed concerns that Turkey’s use of the Russian S-400 missiles could compromise the F-35’s capabilities, potentially allowing Russia to gather sensitive data.
Ankara maintains that its exclusion from the F-35 program was unjust. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey invested $1.4 billion before its participation was suspended in 2019.
Ambassador Barrack also noted the positive atmosphere fostered by the relationship between President Trump and President Erdogan, leading to what he described as the most productive conversations on this matter in nearly a decade. Turkey hopes that both sides can overcome the dispute, especially during President Trump’s second term, after being excluded from the next-generation fighter program during his first term.
The situation remains complex, with the US holding firm on its demand to abandon the Russian S-400 system before Turkey can be reinstated in the F-35 program. The outcome of the ongoing discussions is crucial for the future of US-Turkish defense cooperation.
