According to a report from Congress Research Services (CRS), US Congress has announced that it will be following recent signals that will turn Donald Trump’s election and US-Turkier’s defense relations into a “better foundation” It is possible that Türkiye’s potential participation will be revisited in the following. .
Background: Removing Türkiye from the F-35 program
Türkiye was one of the eight original international partners of the F-35 program and NATO Ally. However, in July 2019, the US expelled Türkiye from the program due to concerns over the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
The US government argued that the S-400 could undermine the F-35’s stealth capabilities, leading to the removal of Türkiye from the program and the imposition of sanctions against the American enemy through the Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Ta.
After the acquisition of the S-400, after Türkiye’s exclusion from the F-35 Fighter Jet program, US owes Türkiye $1.45 billion for its contribution to the program. Türkiye is requesting a return in the F-35 program or a full refund of any amounts already paid.
Ankara repeats her commitment to the program and is hoping for a resolution from Trump’s administration.
New discussion about the F-35 after the sale of F-16 to Türkiye
In January 2024, the US approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Türkiye, rekindling debate over whether Türkiye could allow re-entering the F-35 program.
The CRS report shows that Parliament could reconsider Türkiye’s participation, although no formal decisions have been made.
Our requests for the 40 F-35 have been formally communicated to our counterparts. Regarding the F-35, we had previously paid payments and six were taken to the hangar. However, for the first time, NATO countries are not provided by impose sanctions (CAATSA).
We’ve been saying this sanction is wrong from the start. Our expectation is that our allies will make decisions according to the spirit of the alliance and the perspective of common security, and all implicit and explicit sanctions will be lifted.
Türkiye Ministry of Defense
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Goller recently revealed that the successful development of the fifth-generation Jet Kaan indigenous fighter jet of Türkiye has prompted a change in the US perspective on F-35 fighters. did.
“After Americans saw that we could build a khan and witnessed that flight, their thinking about the F-35 has changed somewhat. They could now offer the F-35. It shows that,” Guler said during the ministry’s 2025 budget debate in Congress.
The minister outlined Türkiye’s dual approach to re-entering the F-35 program, which was expelled after the acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. “We both insist on regaining production shares and express our interest in purchasing the F-35,” he explained.
“They themselves have expressed that they can give us the F-35. There is no progress on this issue. We insist that the production share will be returned and would like to buy a 40 F-35. I also expressed my desire to do so,” concluded Guler.
The F-35 programme is the DoD’s largest international cooperative project, involving multiple NATO allies to reduce costs and expand production.
Countries participating in this program are categorized based on financial contributions, with higher levels of investment, the greater aircraft development and access to technology.
Potential meaning of re-entry in Türkiye
If Congress decides to reconsider Türkiye’s role in the F-35 program, several factors will be assessed, including:
Türkiye’s commitment to the NATO security protocol. The geopolitical implications of restoring defensive relations. Potential impact on US-Russia relations considering Türkiye’s acquisition of S-400.
Despite efforts to resolve Türkiye’s issues, including Guler’s recent remarks rejected US terms on the S-400, the US argues that the S-400 system still poses risks to NATO’s security framework I’m doing it.
Türkiye was previously a Level III partner in the F-35 programme (Australia, Denmark, Norway, Canada), but disrupts access to the aircraft procurement and production roles within the project.
The US appears to be open to debate, with the F-35 program resolution being conditional on Türkiye’s S-400 dispute resolution, and the US may not be able to hold future consultations on the F-35 to NATO security. It emphasizes that it is possible only. standard.
International and NATO considerations
Türkiye’s initial involvement in the F-35 program was part of a broader NATO defense strategy. Furthermore, the exclusion of Türkiye led to adjustments in supply chain logistics for F-35 production.
