US administration plans to sell fighter jet engines to Turkey

The administration of US President Donald Trump has officially notified Congress of its intention to authorize the sale of GE F110 engines for the Turkish KAAN fighter jet, a deal valued at over 700 million dollars. This move is seen as a gesture of support toward President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of an upcoming NATO summit. However, the proposal has faced significant opposition from the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and several Greek-American members of Congress, including Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Haridopolos, and Jimmy Patronis. Critics argue that Turkey should not be granted access to advanced American defense technology as long as it retains the Russian S-400 air defense system, which previously led to Turkey's removal from the F-35 program. AHI President Nick Larigakis sent a letter on June 26, 2026, urging the administration to respect congressional oversight and uphold security legislation. Turkish media reports indicate that while the F110 engines will power the KAAN, they may limit the aircraft's stealth and supercruise capabilities compared to its final design. The US Congress has a 15-day window to challenge the deal, though a presidential veto could override such efforts.