President Donald Trump (R-TX) said he might consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey following a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The potential sale marks a significant shift in U.S. defense policy toward Ankara. It signals a prioritization of personal diplomatic ties over the security concerns raised by key regional allies, specifically Israel.
Trump hosted Erdogan at the White House on Thursday to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Turkey. During the discussions, Trump said his friendship with the Turkish leader was a primary reason to reconsider the sale of the advanced aircraft [1].
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the move, citing security risks associated with providing the high-tech jets to Turkey [2]. Trump said he rejected the request from Netanyahu to block the transaction [3].
Reports indicate that six F-35 jets are expected to be sent to Turkey if the deal proceeds [4]. These aircraft would likely be stationed at the Etimesgut airbase near Ankara [5].
The F-35 program has been a point of contention for years due to Turkey's acquisition of Russian missile systems. By revisiting the ban, Trump is challenging the previous administration's strategic constraints in favor of a more transactional relationship with Erdogan [1].
Netanyahu's plea focused on the risk of compromising sensitive intelligence, and technology shared between the U.S. and Israel [2]. However, Trump said his rapport with Erdogan outweighs those objections for the time being [1].
“Trump pointed to his friendship with the Turkish leader as a primary reason to reconsider the sale”
This development suggests a pivot toward 'personal diplomacy' in U.S. foreign policy, where individual relationships between heads of state may supersede established security protocols or the objections of traditional allies. If the sale of six F-35s is finalized, it could repair U.S.-Turkey relations but potentially strain the strategic intelligence-sharing partnership between the U.S. and Israel.
