Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed optimism about Türkiye rejoining the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, citing a positive stance from U.S. President Donald Trump. Erdoğan’s comments came after the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he emphasized the need for Washington to follow through with tangible actions, as discussions between the two countries continue.
Türkiye was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after it purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which the United States argued could jeopardize the security of F-35 technology and its integration with NATO systems. In response, Washington imposed sanctions on Türkiye’s defense procurement agency under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The removal from the F-35 program has been a significant point of contention in Türkiye-U.S. defense relations. Ankara has been actively seeking a resolution to the issue and is eager for a return to the program, viewing it as critical to their defense capabilities.
Erdoğan’s remarks underscore Türkiye’s desire for a swift and concrete resolution to the dispute, which remains a major diplomatic challenge between the two NATO allies. The ongoing negotiations reflect both countries’ efforts to address the complex dynamics of defense cooperation and regional security.