US and Türkiye to resume talks on purchase of 80 F-16 and F-35 fighter jets
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US President Donald Trump will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on Sept. 25 to discuss defense cooperation and potential F-16 and F-35 fighter jet negotiations. The talks could shape U.S.-Turkey military ties and NATO defense strategy amid ongoing disputes over Türkiye’s Russian S-400 system.
US President Donald J. Trump announced on September 19, 2025, that he will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on September 25 during the U.N. General Assembly week, with the agenda focusing on defense cooperation and the potential restart of F-35 negotiations. The meeting will focus on a defense package that could include 40 F-35s, 40 F-16 Vipers, and associated munitions. The outcome could determine whether Ankara is allowed back into the F-35 program after years of tension over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
While both sides note that details such as pricing and quantities remain under discussion, the F-35 issue remains the central question, while the F-16 serves as the current means of keeping the Turkish Air Force’s fighter fleet aligned with NATO standards. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The meeting is framed as a chance to determine whether political direction at the executive level can open a technical path to resolving the dispute that led to Türkiye’s removal from the F-35 program. The F-16 track is presented as a supporting element that provides near-term sustainment of Türkiye’s fighter fleet while the longer-term future of F-35 participation is considered. The United States maintains that Türkiye cannot be reintegrated into the F-35 program without addressing the risks posed by its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2017.
Under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the State Department confirmed in an August 21 letter to Congress that the S-400 poses unacceptable risks to NATO operations and to the security of F-35 technology. This response followed a letter from 40 lawmakers led by Representative Chris Pappas calling for strict enforcement of sanctions and highlighting concerns about safeguarding advanced systems. While the correspondence acknowledged Türkiye’s status as a long-time NATO ally, it underscored that the U.S. cannot move forward on the F-35 without verifiable measures that eliminate the risks linked to the S-400 system. The legislative branch remains engaged, meaning any agreement would require alignment between Congress and the administration.
Türkiye’s participation in the F-35 program dates to July 2002, when it joined as a Level 3 partner with plans to acquire 100 F-35A fighters, later discussed as potentially rising to 116. Turkish Aerospace Industries and other national firms were integrated into the supply chain through a 2007 memorandum, producing around 900 components, including fuselage sections, access doors, and composite structures. By 2018, six Turkish F-35A jets had been completed and were stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for pilot training. However, none of these aircraft were delivered to Türkiye. Instead, they remain in storage in the United States after Türkiye’s formal removal from the program in 2019. Ankara has consistently demanded either delivery of the jets or reimbursement for the estimated $1.3–1.4 billion it invested in the program. Türkiye was permitted to fulfill existing component contracts through 2022 before these roles were reassigned to other suppliers to avoid disruption of the global production chain.
Potential solutions to the S-400 problem have been debated throughout 2024 and 2025, including disabling or dismantling key elements, transferring the system to third parties, or placing it under U.S. technical control on Turkish territory. President Erdoğan has stated that the S-400 is non-operational but could be activated within 12 hours, a position intended to show that it is not currently integrated into Turkish defenses but available if needed. U.S. officials consider this insufficient to mitigate the risks, emphasizing that any reentry into the F-35 program requires a verifiable and irreversible solution. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, Section 1245, explicitly requires certification that Türkiye no longer possesses the S-400 and will not acquire it in the future as a condition for any F-35 transfer. Opposition from Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership and other lawmakers further underscores the high political threshold that any agreement must overcome in Washington.
With the F-35 issue unresolved, the F-16 track has become the practical measure to sustain the Turkish Air Force. In early 2024, the United States notified Congress of an initial package worth around $23 billion, covering 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters and 79 modernization kits for older aircraft. Türkiye subsequently revised the plan, choosing to proceed with the 40 new Block 70s while canceling the U.S.-supplied kits, opting instead to upgrade its existing F-16s domestically through the ÖZGÜR program. The restructured package is valued at about $6.5–7 billion, and Turkish officials have said an initial payment of $1.4 billion has been made. Negotiations on final pricing continued into September 2025. This strategy allows Ankara to maintain its NATO-standard fleet and ensure operational readiness while pursuing indigenous upgrade capabilities. The dual-track approach balances immediate needs with longer-term goals.
After the June 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, Ankara announced that technical-level discussions on the F-35 had resumed. President Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s request to either receive the six F-35As stored at Luke Air Force Base or obtain reimbursement for its financial contributions. Turkish officials describe these talks as focused on clarifying legal and technical conditions rather than presuming full readmission to the program. In parallel, Türkiye continues with the ÖZGÜR modernization program for its F-16s, ensuring that its fleet remains viable. The six jets at Luke remain a key symbol of the dispute, representing both Türkiye’s financial stake and its continued demand for recognition of its prior participation in the program. These airframes highlight the complexity of the negotiations, since they are built but undelivered assets tied directly to the broader disagreement.
At the same time, Türkiye has sought alternatives in case F-35 access remains blocked. Negotiations with European partners over the Eurofighter Typhoon have advanced, while the domestic KAAN fifth-generation fighter program has made progress with additional prototypes in development following its initial flight tests in 2024. The KAAN program is intended to give Türkiye an indigenous platform that reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, though both Turkish and U.S. assessments agree that it will not replicate the specific capabilities of the F-35 in the near term. These include stealth, advanced sensor fusion, and integrated network warfare. This recognition explains why Ankara continues to press for F-35 access while relying on F-16 procurement and upgrades to maintain its operational readiness.
A combined agreement on the F-16 and F-35 would have concrete consequences for Türkiye’s force structure, operational planning, and NATO interoperability. The purchase of 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft would provide a replacement path for older airframes, ensuring that the Turkish Air Force retains sufficient numbers for air policing, routine patrols, and strike missions in regional theaters. Domestic modernization through the ÖZGÜR program would extend the service life of existing aircraft and integrate national subsystems, which would reduce reliance on external suppliers while maintaining alliance-standard capabilities.
The addition of F-35s would introduce characteristics absent from the F-16, including low observability, advanced sensors, and secure information-sharing with allied assets, which would enhance joint operations in contested environments. In combination, the two programs would directly reinforce Türkiye’s ability to conduct coordinated operations in regions of concern such as the Black Sea, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East, where both readiness and survivability are central to planning.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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US President Donald Trump will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on Sept. 25 to discuss defense cooperation and potential F-16 and F-35 fighter jet negotiations. The talks could shape U.S.-Turkey military ties and NATO defense strategy amid ongoing disputes over Türkiye’s Russian S-400 system.
US President Donald J. Trump announced on September 19, 2025, that he will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on September 25 during the U.N. General Assembly week, with the agenda focusing on defense cooperation and the potential restart of F-35 negotiations. The meeting will focus on a defense package that could include 40 F-35s, 40 F-16 Vipers, and associated munitions. The outcome could determine whether Ankara is allowed back into the F-35 program after years of tension over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
While both sides note that details such as pricing and quantities remain under discussion, the F-35 issue remains the central question, while the F-16 serves as the current means of keeping the Turkish Air Force’s fighter fleet aligned with NATO standards. (Picture source: US Air Force)
The meeting is framed as a chance to determine whether political direction at the executive level can open a technical path to resolving the dispute that led to Türkiye’s removal from the F-35 program. The F-16 track is presented as a supporting element that provides near-term sustainment of Türkiye’s fighter fleet while the longer-term future of F-35 participation is considered. The United States maintains that Türkiye cannot be reintegrated into the F-35 program without addressing the risks posed by its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2017.
Under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the State Department confirmed in an August 21 letter to Congress that the S-400 poses unacceptable risks to NATO operations and to the security of F-35 technology. This response followed a letter from 40 lawmakers led by Representative Chris Pappas calling for strict enforcement of sanctions and highlighting concerns about safeguarding advanced systems. While the correspondence acknowledged Türkiye’s status as a long-time NATO ally, it underscored that the U.S. cannot move forward on the F-35 without verifiable measures that eliminate the risks linked to the S-400 system. The legislative branch remains engaged, meaning any agreement would require alignment between Congress and the administration.
Türkiye’s participation in the F-35 program dates to July 2002, when it joined as a Level 3 partner with plans to acquire 100 F-35A fighters, later discussed as potentially rising to 116. Turkish Aerospace Industries and other national firms were integrated into the supply chain through a 2007 memorandum, producing around 900 components, including fuselage sections, access doors, and composite structures. By 2018, six Turkish F-35A jets had been completed and were stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for pilot training. However, none of these aircraft were delivered to Türkiye. Instead, they remain in storage in the United States after Türkiye’s formal removal from the program in 2019. Ankara has consistently demanded either delivery of the jets or reimbursement for the estimated $1.3–1.4 billion it invested in the program. Türkiye was permitted to fulfill existing component contracts through 2022 before these roles were reassigned to other suppliers to avoid disruption of the global production chain.
Potential solutions to the S-400 problem have been debated throughout 2024 and 2025, including disabling or dismantling key elements, transferring the system to third parties, or placing it under U.S. technical control on Turkish territory. President Erdoğan has stated that the S-400 is non-operational but could be activated within 12 hours, a position intended to show that it is not currently integrated into Turkish defenses but available if needed. U.S. officials consider this insufficient to mitigate the risks, emphasizing that any reentry into the F-35 program requires a verifiable and irreversible solution. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, Section 1245, explicitly requires certification that Türkiye no longer possesses the S-400 and will not acquire it in the future as a condition for any F-35 transfer. Opposition from Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership and other lawmakers further underscores the high political threshold that any agreement must overcome in Washington.
With the F-35 issue unresolved, the F-16 track has become the practical measure to sustain the Turkish Air Force. In early 2024, the United States notified Congress of an initial package worth around $23 billion, covering 40 new F-16 Block 70 fighters and 79 modernization kits for older aircraft. Türkiye subsequently revised the plan, choosing to proceed with the 40 new Block 70s while canceling the U.S.-supplied kits, opting instead to upgrade its existing F-16s domestically through the ÖZGÜR program. The restructured package is valued at about $6.5–7 billion, and Turkish officials have said an initial payment of $1.4 billion has been made. Negotiations on final pricing continued into September 2025. This strategy allows Ankara to maintain its NATO-standard fleet and ensure operational readiness while pursuing indigenous upgrade capabilities. The dual-track approach balances immediate needs with longer-term goals.
After the June 2025 NATO summit in The Hague, Ankara announced that technical-level discussions on the F-35 had resumed. President Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s request to either receive the six F-35As stored at Luke Air Force Base or obtain reimbursement for its financial contributions. Turkish officials describe these talks as focused on clarifying legal and technical conditions rather than presuming full readmission to the program. In parallel, Türkiye continues with the ÖZGÜR modernization program for its F-16s, ensuring that its fleet remains viable. The six jets at Luke remain a key symbol of the dispute, representing both Türkiye’s financial stake and its continued demand for recognition of its prior participation in the program. These airframes highlight the complexity of the negotiations, since they are built but undelivered assets tied directly to the broader disagreement.
At the same time, Türkiye has sought alternatives in case F-35 access remains blocked. Negotiations with European partners over the Eurofighter Typhoon have advanced, while the domestic KAAN fifth-generation fighter program has made progress with additional prototypes in development following its initial flight tests in 2024. The KAAN program is intended to give Türkiye an indigenous platform that reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, though both Turkish and U.S. assessments agree that it will not replicate the specific capabilities of the F-35 in the near term. These include stealth, advanced sensor fusion, and integrated network warfare. This recognition explains why Ankara continues to press for F-35 access while relying on F-16 procurement and upgrades to maintain its operational readiness.
A combined agreement on the F-16 and F-35 would have concrete consequences for Türkiye’s force structure, operational planning, and NATO interoperability. The purchase of 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft would provide a replacement path for older airframes, ensuring that the Turkish Air Force retains sufficient numbers for air policing, routine patrols, and strike missions in regional theaters. Domestic modernization through the ÖZGÜR program would extend the service life of existing aircraft and integrate national subsystems, which would reduce reliance on external suppliers while maintaining alliance-standard capabilities.
The addition of F-35s would introduce characteristics absent from the F-16, including low observability, advanced sensors, and secure information-sharing with allied assets, which would enhance joint operations in contested environments. In combination, the two programs would directly reinforce Türkiye’s ability to conduct coordinated operations in regions of concern such as the Black Sea, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East, where both readiness and survivability are central to planning.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
