Trump Eyes Deal to Reintegrate Turkey into F-35 program

President Donald Trump has reportedly opened discussions about potentially returning Turkey to the F-35 fighter jet program, a significant shift in U.S. defense policy that could reshape military cooperation between the NATO allies. During a recent phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump indicated willingness to reconsider Turkey’s 2019 expulsion from the advanced fighter program while also supporting the completion of a pending $23 billion F-16 sale.

Diplomatic Opening After Years of Standoff

The potential defense policy reversal comes amid ongoing tensions over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, which originally triggered Washington’s decision to remove Turkey from the F-35 partnership. This diplomatic opening represents Trump’s interest in rebuilding strategic ties with a key NATO ally positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Possible Solutions to the S-400 Obstacle

According to Fox News sources, negotiators are exploring compromise options that could satisfy both nations’ security concerns. One proposal involves either disassembling Turkey’s S-400 system or relocating it to a U.S.-controlled base within Turkey to prevent intelligence collection on NATO aircraft. This arrangement would address the Pentagon’s primary concern that “the F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform.”

Geopolitical Challenges

The potential deal faces significant hurdles, including compliance with the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which currently prohibits major arms sales to countries operating Russian defense systems. Trump’s advisers have requested legal guidance on proceeding without violating these sanctions, reflecting the administration’s determination to find a workable solution.

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Regional Concerns

Any restoration of Turkey’s F-35 access would likely face opposition from regional U.S. allies, particularly Israel and Greece, who have expressed concerns about Turkey’s regional posture and support for certain groups. Meanwhile, Turkey is also considering the United Kingdom’s offer of Eurofighter Typhoons, potentially creating competitive pressure in defense procurement negotiations.

Next Steps in US-Turkey Relations

The Turkish government’s readout of the recent call confirms Erdogan’s request to “end CAATSA sanctions, finalize the F-16 procurement process and finalize Türkiye’s re-participation in the F-35 program.” Reports suggest Trump is considering hosting Erdogan in the United States to further advance these discussions, signaling the importance placed on resolving this longstanding defense impasse.

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