New development regarding F-35 sales to Turkey
The US administration is putting the issue of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey back on the table. As the legal obstacles to the sale are being scrutinized, the defense industry dialogue between Ankara and Washington is also gaining momentum.
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US Vice President JD Vance stated in his latest remarks that a comprehensive review has been initiated regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Vance underscored that certain conditions must be met under American law due to Turkey's 2019 purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Regarding the matter, he said, “Pete and the whole team are looking at it right now. Because there are some things that we have to document that are happening in order to comply with American law. The President asked us to do that.”
Vance's statements revealed that US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his team are playing an active role in reviewing the process. The US administration's exploration of a potential solution for the F-35 sale that complies with American law indicates that Washington has not completely closed the door on the F-35 program.
S-400 PURCHASE HAD HALTED PARTICIPATION IN THE F-35 PROGRAM
Following Turkey's choice of the S-400 air defense system, the Washington administration removed Ankara from the F-35 program, citing security risks. While America argued that the S-400 systems could jeopardize the F-35's technological secrets, Turkey had provided guarantees that the S-400 platform would not be integrated with NATO systems.
Despite this, Ankara has long been continuing its diplomatic efforts toward a return to the F-35 program; it has also intensified its contacts to lift certain restrictions in the defense sector.
The complexity of the process has once again demonstrated that the US Congress and relevant legal regulations have a significant impact on the sale. US Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks recently stated that the administration decided to bypass Congressional review for the sale of more than 700 million dollars in defense materials, which are subject to Congressional scrutiny.
The potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey remains an important topic in terms of both technical transfer and the strategic relations between the two countries.
GREEN LIGHT FROM THE US FOR ENGINE SALES FOR THE KAAN FIGHTER JET
On the other hand, it is reported that the US is preparing to take steps regarding the export of jet engines to be used in Turkey's national combat aircraft project, KAAN. This development is interpreted as a signal of a thaw in defense cooperation between the US and Turkey.
In this context, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration intends to bypass Congress to move forward with the sale of jet engines for the KAAN project. The report stated that this step is viewed as an indicator of the close relationship between President Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump.
“I think I will. Turkey is a NATO member. Some people don't see Turkey that way, but they are. They are a strong member of NATO. Yes, I will probably do something that will make him (President Erdoğan) very happy.”
These recent developments in the defense industry between Turkey and the US send a message that relations could be reshaped. The steps to be taken regarding the F-35 program and jet engine exports could open the door to a new era in the military and strategic partnership between the two countries.