Türkiye restarts F-35 fighter jet negotiations with US while refusing to give up Russian S-400 missile system
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Following the June 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed that Türkiye has resumed technical-level discussions with the United States regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Speaking at a press conference, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye has not given up on its ambitions to acquire the aircraft and described the meetings held with U.S. President Donald Trump as focused specifically on the F-35 topic, which he said remains open, unlike the S-400 matter, which he described as finalized.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also used the summit to reiterate Türkiye’s demands for either the delivery of its six F-35s or reimbursement of the $1.4 billion paid to the program. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Erdoğan recalled that Türkiye made a payment of approximately $1.3 to $1.4 billion for the F-35s and reaffirmed that the country still expects a resolution. While rejecting any further negotiations on the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, Erdoğan stated that Trump showed willingness to support Türkiye’s claims, and expressed the view that diplomatic and military contacts will continue. He added that maintenance and upgrade work on Türkiye’s F-16 fleet is also being coordinated, and technical teams are involved in parallel processes related to both the F-16 and F-35 programs.
Türkiye became the seventh international partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program on 12 July 2002, joining other Level 3 participants including the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands. Ankara committed to procuring 100 F-35A fighters and planned to increase this number to 116, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) integrated into the global supply chain. A memorandum of understanding signed in 2007 paved the way for TAI to manufacture center fuselage sections, composite parts, and access doors, with production beginning in December of that year under authorization from Northrop Grumman. The Turkish contribution was expected to total around 900 components. While six Turkish F-35s were built and delivered to Luke Air Force Base for pilot training by 2018, none were transferred to Türkiye. These aircraft remain in storage, with Ankara demanding either the jets or compensation. Despite removal from the program in 2019, Türkiye was allowed to fulfill outstanding component contracts until 2022 to avoid contractual disruption.
Tensions escalated after Türkiye finalized a $2.5 billion deal with Russia in 2017 to purchase the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, leading to U.S. accusations that the system could gather intelligence on the F-35’s radar signature. The U.S. government argued that the S-400 was incompatible with NATO systems and implemented measures under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which targeted Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries, imposed export restrictions, and blocked further aircraft deliveries. In June 2018, the U.S. Senate passed legislation prohibiting the transfer of F-35s to Türkiye unless it abandoned the S-400 acquisition. The same month, pilot training was suspended, and later all training was halted. In July 2019, Türkiye was formally removed from the F-35 program. U.S. authorities subsequently began relocating F-35 supply contracts previously awarded to Turkish companies. Although some of Türkiye’s production roles continued until 2022, no new contracts were granted beyond that period.
The issue of the S-400 remains central to the dispute. Erdoğan stated that the system was not discussed during the 2025 summit and reiterated that the acquisition is considered a completed matter by Ankara. He added that while the system remains in Türkiye’s possession, it is not operational but can be activated within 12 hours. The U.S. has maintained that Türkiye’s reentry into the program depends on neutralizing the S-400 system. Former President Trump has reportedly suggested potential solutions such as dismantling key components or placing the system under U.S. technical control on Turkish territory. Other U.S. officials have linked reentry to disabling the system entirely or transferring it to a third country. Erdoğan, however, reiterated Türkiye’s view that the S-400 purchase resulted from the U.S. refusal to sell Patriot systems under terms acceptable to Ankara, particularly regarding technology transfer.
In the absence of progress on the F-35, Türkiye has explored alternative platforms. Erdoğan confirmed that Ankara continues talks with the United Kingdom and Germany on the potential acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with positive developments reported in recent negotiations. Türkiye also pursued a $23 billion deal to purchase 40 F-16 Block 70 fighters and modernization kits for 79 existing airframes. However, this agreement was later scaled back, and Türkiye opted to cancel the modernization kits and complete the upgrades domestically under the ÖZGÜR program led by Turkish Aerospace Industries. As a result, the total value of the deal was reduced to between $6 and $7 billion. In parallel, Türkiye continues to invest in the development of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet, which conducted its second flight in 2025. While KAAN is intended to replace the F-16 over the long term, officials have acknowledged that it cannot match the capabilities of the F-35 in the near future.
During the NATO summit, Erdoğan also discussed the broader context of Türkiye’s defense policy and alliance commitments. He stated that Türkiye plans to raise its defense budget allocation to 5 percent of GDP within the next decade through phased national funding. He expressed concern over obstacles in the intra-alliance defense trade and called for removing such barriers without conditions. Türkiye’s current defense spending already exceeds the 2 percent threshold established in earlier NATO summits. Erdoğan emphasized that while financial investment is necessary, strengthening NATO requires sincere cooperation among member states. In this context, he highlighted that Türkiye, as a country geographically exposed to regional instability and terrorism, has prioritized deterrence and is expanding its domestic defense industry, including unmanned aerial systems and multi-layered air defense platforms under the Steel Dome program.
Erdoğan also used the summit to reiterate Türkiye’s demands for either the delivery of its six F-35s or reimbursement of the $1.4 billion paid to the program. He stated that renewed political engagement with the United States, particularly under Trump, could lead to progress, provided that technical and political preconditions are addressed. While discussions have resumed, the outcome depends on whether the U.S. Congress agrees to lift CAATSA sanctions and whether Türkiye modifies its position on the S-400. Erdoğan made clear that no decision has been made to dismantle the system, and that Türkiye continues to treat the F-35 reentry as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The six jets remain in U.S. custody, and Ankara has not received any components or resumed pilot training. Türkiye’s defense procurement now relies on multiple tracks: F-16 modernization, Eurofighter negotiations, KAAN development, and conditional efforts to reengage with the F-35 program.
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Following the June 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed that Türkiye has resumed technical-level discussions with the United States regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Speaking at a press conference, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye has not given up on its ambitions to acquire the aircraft and described the meetings held with U.S. President Donald Trump as focused specifically on the F-35 topic, which he said remains open, unlike the S-400 matter, which he described as finalized.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also used the summit to reiterate Türkiye’s demands for either the delivery of its six F-35s or reimbursement of the $1.4 billion paid to the program. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Erdoğan recalled that Türkiye made a payment of approximately $1.3 to $1.4 billion for the F-35s and reaffirmed that the country still expects a resolution. While rejecting any further negotiations on the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, Erdoğan stated that Trump showed willingness to support Türkiye’s claims, and expressed the view that diplomatic and military contacts will continue. He added that maintenance and upgrade work on Türkiye’s F-16 fleet is also being coordinated, and technical teams are involved in parallel processes related to both the F-16 and F-35 programs.
Türkiye became the seventh international partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program on 12 July 2002, joining other Level 3 participants including the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands. Ankara committed to procuring 100 F-35A fighters and planned to increase this number to 116, with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) integrated into the global supply chain. A memorandum of understanding signed in 2007 paved the way for TAI to manufacture center fuselage sections, composite parts, and access doors, with production beginning in December of that year under authorization from Northrop Grumman. The Turkish contribution was expected to total around 900 components. While six Turkish F-35s were built and delivered to Luke Air Force Base for pilot training by 2018, none were transferred to Türkiye. These aircraft remain in storage, with Ankara demanding either the jets or compensation. Despite removal from the program in 2019, Türkiye was allowed to fulfill outstanding component contracts until 2022 to avoid contractual disruption.
Tensions escalated after Türkiye finalized a $2.5 billion deal with Russia in 2017 to purchase the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, leading to U.S. accusations that the system could gather intelligence on the F-35’s radar signature. The U.S. government argued that the S-400 was incompatible with NATO systems and implemented measures under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which targeted Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries, imposed export restrictions, and blocked further aircraft deliveries. In June 2018, the U.S. Senate passed legislation prohibiting the transfer of F-35s to Türkiye unless it abandoned the S-400 acquisition. The same month, pilot training was suspended, and later all training was halted. In July 2019, Türkiye was formally removed from the F-35 program. U.S. authorities subsequently began relocating F-35 supply contracts previously awarded to Turkish companies. Although some of Türkiye’s production roles continued until 2022, no new contracts were granted beyond that period.
The issue of the S-400 remains central to the dispute. Erdoğan stated that the system was not discussed during the 2025 summit and reiterated that the acquisition is considered a completed matter by Ankara. He added that while the system remains in Türkiye’s possession, it is not operational but can be activated within 12 hours. The U.S. has maintained that Türkiye’s reentry into the program depends on neutralizing the S-400 system. Former President Trump has reportedly suggested potential solutions such as dismantling key components or placing the system under U.S. technical control on Turkish territory. Other U.S. officials have linked reentry to disabling the system entirely or transferring it to a third country. Erdoğan, however, reiterated Türkiye’s view that the S-400 purchase resulted from the U.S. refusal to sell Patriot systems under terms acceptable to Ankara, particularly regarding technology transfer.
In the absence of progress on the F-35, Türkiye has explored alternative platforms. Erdoğan confirmed that Ankara continues talks with the United Kingdom and Germany on the potential acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with positive developments reported in recent negotiations. Türkiye also pursued a $23 billion deal to purchase 40 F-16 Block 70 fighters and modernization kits for 79 existing airframes. However, this agreement was later scaled back, and Türkiye opted to cancel the modernization kits and complete the upgrades domestically under the ÖZGÜR program led by Turkish Aerospace Industries. As a result, the total value of the deal was reduced to between $6 and $7 billion. In parallel, Türkiye continues to invest in the development of the fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet, which conducted its second flight in 2025. While KAAN is intended to replace the F-16 over the long term, officials have acknowledged that it cannot match the capabilities of the F-35 in the near future.
During the NATO summit, Erdoğan also discussed the broader context of Türkiye’s defense policy and alliance commitments. He stated that Türkiye plans to raise its defense budget allocation to 5 percent of GDP within the next decade through phased national funding. He expressed concern over obstacles in the intra-alliance defense trade and called for removing such barriers without conditions. Türkiye’s current defense spending already exceeds the 2 percent threshold established in earlier NATO summits. Erdoğan emphasized that while financial investment is necessary, strengthening NATO requires sincere cooperation among member states. In this context, he highlighted that Türkiye, as a country geographically exposed to regional instability and terrorism, has prioritized deterrence and is expanding its domestic defense industry, including unmanned aerial systems and multi-layered air defense platforms under the Steel Dome program.
Erdoğan also used the summit to reiterate Türkiye’s demands for either the delivery of its six F-35s or reimbursement of the $1.4 billion paid to the program. He stated that renewed political engagement with the United States, particularly under Trump, could lead to progress, provided that technical and political preconditions are addressed. While discussions have resumed, the outcome depends on whether the U.S. Congress agrees to lift CAATSA sanctions and whether Türkiye modifies its position on the S-400. Erdoğan made clear that no decision has been made to dismantle the system, and that Türkiye continues to treat the F-35 reentry as a possibility rather than a guarantee. The six jets remain in U.S. custody, and Ankara has not received any components or resumed pilot training. Türkiye’s defense procurement now relies on multiple tracks: F-16 modernization, Eurofighter negotiations, KAAN development, and conditional efforts to reengage with the F-35 program.
