President Donald Trump said he is considering the possibility of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
The potential deal represents a significant shift in military relations between the U.S. and Turkey, as the F-35 is one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world. Such a move would impact the strategic balance within the NATO alliance, and the distribution of sensitive defense technology.
Trump said the announcement during a bilateral press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. [1]. The statement occurred on June 21, 2024 [1].
During the event, Trump said the administration is reviewing the options regarding the aircraft. "It's a decision we are going to make," Trump said [1].
The F-35 program has been a point of contention between the two nations for years. Turkey was previously a partner in the program but was removed after purchasing missile systems from Russia. This new consideration suggests a potential pivot in how the U.S. manages its security partnership with the Turkish government.
Trump said he did not provide a specific timeline for when a final decision would be reached. He focused on the ongoing deliberations between the two leaders during the summit proceedings in the U.S. capital.
“"It's a decision we are going to make."”
This move signals a potential diplomatic reset between the U.S. and Turkey. By weighing the sale of F-35s, the U.S. may be using high-end military hardware as leverage to strengthen ties or ensure Turkish cooperation on broader NATO security objectives, despite previous disputes over foreign defense acquisitions.
