Status of Turkey's F-35 fighter jet acquisition and U.S.-Turkey relations

During the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the potential resumption of Turkey's participation in the F-35 program. Turkey remains excluded from the program due to its prior purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, which triggered U.S. CAATSA sanctions. While President Erdogan expressed optimism regarding the acquisition of the jets and potential cooperation in defense manufacturing, President Trump stated that no final decision has been made. Analysts suggest that any progress requires the removal of the S-400 systems from Turkey, with reports of a potential transfer to a third country. However, significant opposition exists within the U.S. Congress, with many lawmakers and advocacy groups citing Turkey's stance on the Cyprus issue and regional tensions as reasons to block the sale. Legal experts note that existing U.S. law prevents the transfer of F-35s as long as the Russian systems remain on Turkish soil. The discussions also touched upon the potential provision of American engines for the Turkish Kaan fighter project.