ANKARA: US President Donald Trump has signalled that Washington could sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Türkiye, potentially ending a seven-year defense dispute as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly pressures the United States to block the move.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday ahead of a NATO summit, Trump said the United States would consider Turkiye’s return to the F-35 program.
“It's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we will consider,” Trump said.
Trump also indicated that sanctions imposed on Ankara over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system could be removed.
“We're going to be taking the sanctions off,” he said, adding: “We don't want to sanction friends.”
Erdogan welcomed the remarks, saying Trump had personally given him his word on resolving the long-running dispute.
Turkiye was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian S-400 system. Ankara has since pushed for readmission to the program and delivery of fighter jets for which it says payment has already been made.
Opposition from Israel
The possible breakthrough has triggered opposition from Israel.
Netanyahu urged Washington not to provide F-35 jets or fighter aircraft engines to Turkiye, claiming the move would upset the regional balance of power and undermine Israel’s air superiority.
Ankara hit back strongly, dismissing the Israeli objections as part of a “disinformation campaign”.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israeli officials of deliberately distorting criticism and attempting to divert attention from Israel’s actions in Gaza and its wider regional policies.
The dispute also has implications for Turkiye’s indigenous KAAN stealth fighter program. Ankara is seeking US-made F110 engines as it develops the fifth-generation aircraft and expands its domestic defense industry.
With Trump publicly calling Turkiye a friend and Erdogan expressing confidence in a favorable decision, the NATO summit could mark a significant reset in Washington-Ankara defense ties.
