Flash News: US President Ready to Open F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Türkiye If It Disables Its Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems
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U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly prepared to move forward with the long-pending sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and is open to reconsidering Ankara’s participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, according to a report by U.S. Media Fox News on March 21, 2025. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the proposal came after recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and would depend on a resolution to the ongoing dispute over Turkey’s possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. One potential solution under consideration involves dismantling key components of the S-400 or relocating it to a U.S.-controlled site within Turkish territory.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A is currently operated by the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Norway, Japan, and the Netherlands, with future deliveries planned for Germany, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Greece. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The S-400, developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey, is a long-range, mobile surface-to-air missile system designed to track and engage multiple aerial targets, including aircraft and ballistic missiles, at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. Turkey’s acquisition of the system in 2017 under a $2.5 billion deal triggered sharp backlash from the United States and NATO, which raised concerns about interoperability and the potential compromise of sensitive NATO technologies, particularly the F-35’s stealth features.
In response, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Enacted in 2017, CAATSA aims to deter significant transactions with the defense and intelligence sectors of U.S. adversaries, including Russia. Under Section 231, Turkey faced punitive measures for its deal with Moscow. In December 2020, the U.S. targeted Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), banning U.S. export licenses, restricting financial assistance, and imposing visa sanctions on senior defense officials. Turkey was also formally removed from the F-35 program, despite being an industrial partner and having already invested over $1 billion in the project.
Despite these tensions, Turkey remains a key military partner within NATO and operates a large fleet of American-made aircraft. The Turkish Air Force currently fields more than 230 F-16 Fighting Falcons, in Block 30, 40, and 50 configurations. Many of these aircraft were manufactured under license by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), reflecting decades of close defense cooperation with the United States.
In 2023, the U.S. Congress approved a $23 billion arms package to supply Turkey with 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its older airframes. However, Ankara later decided to cancel the modernization kits and carry out the upgrades domestically, reducing the overall value of the deal to about $7 billion. This shift highlights Turkey’s growing focus on strengthening its domestic defense industry, while continuing to rely on advanced U.S. platforms to maintain NATO-level combat capabilities.
The F-16 Block 70 variant, also known as the F-16V, features cutting-edge enhancements including the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, new mission computers, a digital cockpit, and advanced electronic warfare systems. These upgrades provide superior situational awareness, survivability, and multirole performance—making the aircraft a key asset for Turkey’s airpower modernization within the NATO framework.
President Trump’s willingness to revisit the F-35 issue suggests a potential pathway for restoring advanced defense cooperation, provided Ankara takes concrete steps to address U.S. security concerns about the Russian S-400 air defense missile system. Re-admittance into the F-35 program would significantly elevate Turkey’s airpower capabilities, with the fifth-generation fighter offering stealth, sensor fusion, and next-generation battlefield networking features.
While Turkey is actively exploring other fighter options, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and advancing its indigenous KAAN fifth-generation jet program, the prospect of restoring access to U.S. stealth aircraft would represent a strategic breakthrough. A renewed agreement on fighter sales would not only reinforce Turkey’s role in NATO but also signal a broader normalization of defense ties between Washington and Ankara at a time when allied airpower and regional deterrence remain critical priorities.
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U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly prepared to move forward with the long-pending sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and is open to reconsidering Ankara’s participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, according to a report by U.S. Media Fox News on March 21, 2025. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the proposal came after recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and would depend on a resolution to the ongoing dispute over Turkey’s possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. One potential solution under consideration involves dismantling key components of the S-400 or relocating it to a U.S.-controlled site within Turkish territory.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A is currently operated by the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Norway, Japan, and the Netherlands, with future deliveries planned for Germany, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Greece. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The S-400, developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey, is a long-range, mobile surface-to-air missile system designed to track and engage multiple aerial targets, including aircraft and ballistic missiles, at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. Turkey’s acquisition of the system in 2017 under a $2.5 billion deal triggered sharp backlash from the United States and NATO, which raised concerns about interoperability and the potential compromise of sensitive NATO technologies, particularly the F-35’s stealth features.
In response, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Enacted in 2017, CAATSA aims to deter significant transactions with the defense and intelligence sectors of U.S. adversaries, including Russia. Under Section 231, Turkey faced punitive measures for its deal with Moscow. In December 2020, the U.S. targeted Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), banning U.S. export licenses, restricting financial assistance, and imposing visa sanctions on senior defense officials. Turkey was also formally removed from the F-35 program, despite being an industrial partner and having already invested over $1 billion in the project.
Despite these tensions, Turkey remains a key military partner within NATO and operates a large fleet of American-made aircraft. The Turkish Air Force currently fields more than 230 F-16 Fighting Falcons, in Block 30, 40, and 50 configurations. Many of these aircraft were manufactured under license by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), reflecting decades of close defense cooperation with the United States.
In 2023, the U.S. Congress approved a $23 billion arms package to supply Turkey with 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its older airframes. However, Ankara later decided to cancel the modernization kits and carry out the upgrades domestically, reducing the overall value of the deal to about $7 billion. This shift highlights Turkey’s growing focus on strengthening its domestic defense industry, while continuing to rely on advanced U.S. platforms to maintain NATO-level combat capabilities.
The F-16 Block 70 variant, also known as the F-16V, features cutting-edge enhancements including the AN/APG-83 AESA radar, new mission computers, a digital cockpit, and advanced electronic warfare systems. These upgrades provide superior situational awareness, survivability, and multirole performance—making the aircraft a key asset for Turkey’s airpower modernization within the NATO framework.
President Trump’s willingness to revisit the F-35 issue suggests a potential pathway for restoring advanced defense cooperation, provided Ankara takes concrete steps to address U.S. security concerns about the Russian S-400 air defense missile system. Re-admittance into the F-35 program would significantly elevate Turkey’s airpower capabilities, with the fifth-generation fighter offering stealth, sensor fusion, and next-generation battlefield networking features.
While Turkey is actively exploring other fighter options, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, and advancing its indigenous KAAN fifth-generation jet program, the prospect of restoring access to U.S. stealth aircraft would represent a strategic breakthrough. A renewed agreement on fighter sales would not only reinforce Turkey’s role in NATO but also signal a broader normalization of defense ties between Washington and Ankara at a time when allied airpower and regional deterrence remain critical priorities.
