According to a report by Fox News, US President Donald Trump is considering a new proposal that could pave the way for Turkey’s re-entry into the F-35 fighter jet programme. The key condition of the proposal is that Ankara deactivates its Russian-made S-400 air defence system.
Trump recently held a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which he expressed his desire to finalise a $23 billion deal, including the sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets and modernisation kits for the existing fleet of 79 F-16s. During the same call, a new negotiation channel was opened to resolve the crisis that led Washington to remove Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019.
S-400 Condition on the Table
According to sources speaking to Fox News, the potential agreement would require Turkey either to dismantle the S-400 systems or relocate them to a US-controlled base to eliminate the risk of intelligence gathering on NATO platforms such as the F-35. The S-400 issue has long been an obstacle in US-Turkey defence cooperation. In 2019, the White House stated that “the F-35 programme cannot coexist with Russian intelligence-gathering platforms.”
CAATSA Sanctions and Legal Process
Although Congress has approved the F-16 sale, negotiations between Turkey’s Ministry of Defence and Lockheed Martin have yet to be finalised. Reports indicate that Trump’s advisers are consulting legal experts on how to proceed without violating regulations under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), which restricts arms sales to countries possessing Russian defence systems.
According to statements from the Turkish side, President Erdoğan conveyed his demands to Trump during their discussion, including “the lifting of CAATSA sanctions, the completion of the F-16 sales process, and Turkey’s reinstatement in the F-35 programme.” The US, however, has not made an official statement regarding the conversation.
Potential Meeting in the US
Fox News reports that Trump is open to hosting Erdoğan in the US in the near future to deepen discussions. These developments coincide with Turkey’s consideration of the United Kingdom’s Eurofighter Typhoon offer, which has the potential to heighten competition in the fighter jet market.
Concerns from Allies: Possible Reactions from Israel and Greece
The possibility of Turkey rejoining the F-35 programme is being closely monitored by US allies Israel and Greece. Both countries have expressed concerns regarding Ankara’s defence posture, citing Turkey’s support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as recent diplomatic tensions with Israel.
As negotiations continue, the new conditions set by the Trump administration and Turkey’s potential concessions on the S-400 issue signal the possibility of a new chapter in US-Turkey defence relations.
