President Erdogan’s pursuit of the F-35 fighter jets from the United States is a tantalizing dance of diplomacy and defense priorities, setting the stage for a redefined relationship between Turkey and the US.
At a Glance
- Following a meeting with President Trump, Turkey’s President Erdogan announced a renewed push to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.
- Erdogan stated that “technical-level talks” have begun between the two NATO allies on the issue.
- Turkey was ejected from the F-35 program and sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
- Turkey is seeking either re-entry into the program or a resolution for its $1.4 billion investment.
A Renewed Push for F-35s
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a renewed effort to resolve the long-standing dispute with the United States over the F-35 fighter jet program. Following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague, Erdogan struck an optimistic tone, announcing that initial discussions to resolve the issue are underway.
“The most important topic of our meeting was the F-35 issue,” Erdogan said at a press conference on Thursday. He told reporters, including those from The Times of Israel, that “technical-level talks have begun” between the relevant ministries of both countries.
The $1.4 Billion Sticking Point
Turkey was an original partner and parts manufacturer in the F-35 program before being unceremoniously ejected in 2019. The dispute centers on Turkey’s decision to purchase Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which the U.S. and other NATO allies view as a security threat to the F-35’s advanced technology. The purchase also triggered U.S. sanctions against Turkey’s defense industry.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey’s significant financial contribution to the project cannot be ignored. “We paid $1.4 billion. We are waiting for the result of this,” he stated, indicating that Ankara is seeking either a path back into the program or a reimbursement for its initial investment.
A High-Stakes Diplomatic Dance
The renewed talks signal a potential thaw in what has been a major point of friction in U.S.-Turkey relations. President Trump’s warm words for his Turkish counterpart after their meeting have fueled hopes for a resolution. “It’s an honor to be with a friend of mine, a man who has become a friend,” Trump said, as reported by Breitbart.
However, the fundamental obstacle—the presence of the Russian S-400 system on Turkish soil—remains. U.S. officials have long maintained that Turkey cannot have both the S-400 and the F-35. The new talks will need to navigate this immense geopolitical and security challenge. As part of his diplomatic push, Erdogan also used the press conference to offer to host a peace summit for Ukraine with Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, positioning Turkey as a key global mediator.
