The US is in continuous discussions to supply F-35 combat aircraft to Turkey, though conditions tied to Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems remain the central hurdle.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio verified that President Donald Trump wants to push the transfer of the platforms already paid for to the NATO ally.
However, federal legislation prohibits the sale until security criteria linked to Ankara’s 2017 arms sale with Moscow have been met, which includes a weapon incompatible with NATO networks and could expose Western aircraft to Russian intelligence gathering.
That approximately $2.5-billion contract triggered a US mandate in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which penalizes large transactions with Moscow’s defense sector.
“Until those conditions are met, the sale cannot go ahead,” Rubio told Greek media outlet Kathimerini, adding that the Turkish government is actively seeking resolve.
‘Intensive’ Talks
Meanwhile, Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu expressed optimism during recent meetings with American officials in Washington, confirming active negotiations regarding the first six F-35s currently held in US storage and the potential lifting of CAATSA sanctions.
Those jets were initially built and used for pilot training before Washington suspended Turkey from the global F-35 program in 2019.
“There are some ongoing US issues, such as CAATSA. There is intensive work being done on these,” Kavaklıoğlu told CNN. “I believe we will resolve our current problems in a short time.”