President Donald Trump is considering allowing Turkey to re-join the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter program during the NATO summit in Ankara [1].
This potential reversal marks a significant shift in defense policy that could alter the strategic balance in the Middle East. Reinstating Turkey would signal a restoration of military cooperation between the two nations after years of diplomatic tension.
President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are meeting this week in Ankara for the NATO summit [1]. Reports indicate the U.S. president may use this diplomatic gathering to facilitate Turkey's return to the advanced aircraft program [1].
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 [1]. The U.S. took that action after Turkey purchased the S-400 air-defense system from Russia [1]. The acquisition of the Russian system was viewed by Washington as a breach of security protocols, and a threat to the stealth capabilities of the F-35.
Restoring Turkey's access to the program aims to repair the defense relationship between the two allies [1]. However, the move is reported to have caused friction among other U.S. partners in the Middle East [1]. These allies may view the gesture as a concession that undermines the original penalties imposed for the S-400 purchase.
The F-35 is a cornerstone of NATO's aerial deterrence strategy. Bringing Turkey back into the fold would integrate one of the alliance's largest militaries back into the latest stealth technology ecosystem [1].
“Trump is reported to be considering allowing Turkey to re‑join the U.S. F‑35 stealth fighter program”
The potential reinstatement of Turkey into the F-35 program represents a pivot toward transactional diplomacy over strict adherence to previous security sanctions. By prioritizing the bilateral relationship with President Erdogan, the U.S. risks alienating other regional allies who may perceive the move as a reward for Turkey's procurement of Russian military hardware.
