President Donald Trump has expressed interest in selling the F-35 fighter jet to Turkey, praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and indicating a willingness to lift sanctions related to Turkey's acquisition of a Russian missile defense system. However, a letter from the State Department to Congress states that Turkey has not met the legal requirements necessary for the sale. The letter, dated July 22, specifies that U.S. law prohibits the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey until it no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 system and fulfills additional certification requirements set by Congress.
Trump's remarks came during a NATO summit in Ankara, where he stated that he has no concerns regarding Turkey's possession of the S-400. He described U.S.-Turkey relations as strong and mentioned that a potential F-35 sale is under consideration. Erdoğan has previously stated that Turkey was promised five F-35 aircraft and expressed confidence in Trump's commitment.
The situation is complicated by Turkey's strategic role as a NATO ally and its ties to Russia and Hamas. U.S. officials have raised concerns about the implications of Turkey operating the S-400 alongside the F-35, as it could allow Russia to gather sensitive information about the aircraft.
James Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, noted that Trump's support for the sale reflects his trust in Erdoğan and their cooperation on various security issues. However, experts agree that Turkey must genuinely relinquish the S-400 for the sale to proceed, and there are discussions about potential third-party transfers of the system.
The State Department's letter indicates that while Turkey remains ineligible for the F-35, it has supported U.S. diplomatic efforts in various regions. The letter also highlights concerns regarding Hamas's financial operations in Turkey. Congressional approval remains a significant hurdle, with lawmakers previously prohibiting the transfer of F-35s while Turkey retains the S-400 system. The situation continues to evolve as both the U.S. and Turkey navigate their complex relationship.