President Donald Trump said the United States will take the decision on selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey into consideration [1, 2].
The potential sale represents a critical pivot in U.S.–Turkey relations, as the F-35 is one of the most advanced stealth aircraft in the world. Securing these jets would significantly modernize Turkey's aerial capabilities while signaling a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Ankara.
During the discussions, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkey had been promised five F-35 jets [1]. The Turkish leader's reference to a specific number of aircraft underscores Ankara's expectation that previous agreements or promises will be honored as the two nations seek to improve their strategic partnership.
Trump said, "We will take into consideration the decision regarding the sale of F-35 fighters to Turkey" [1]. The statement suggests that the U.S. administration is open to revisiting the deal, though it does not guarantee an immediate sale.
Relations between the two countries have historically been strained by disagreements over regional security and defense procurement. The F-35 program has been a central point of contention for years, often linked to Turkey's procurement of other foreign defense systems. This current dialogue indicates a willingness to use defense trade as a tool for diplomatic alignment.
Erdoğan said Turkey was promised the five aircraft [1]. The focus on this specific quantity reflects the ongoing negotiations regarding the scale of the transfer, and the conditions under which the U.S. would approve the delivery of the stealth fighters.
“"We will take into consideration the decision regarding the sale of F-35 fighters to Turkey"”
The willingness of the U.S. to reconsider F-35 sales indicates a shift toward transactional diplomacy with Turkey. By potentially reviving this defense deal, the U.S. may be attempting to secure greater cooperation from Ankara on regional security issues or to counter the influence of other global powers in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
