Trump pushes F-35 sale to Turkey, but his own State Department says Erdoğan hasn’t met legal requirements
President Donald Trump is pressing for Turkey to be allowed to buy F-35 fighter jets, despite the State Department saying Ankara has not met the legal conditions for re-entering the programme. The dispute matters because it could affect NATO relations, US sanctions policy and the military balance in the Middle East.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme after acquiring Russia’s S-400 air-defence system, a move that triggered US sanctions and raised security concerns about the aircraft’s technology. Trump has described relations with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as especially strong, but officials say Turkey would need to resolve the S-400 issue and meet statutory requirements before an F-35 sale could proceed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also warned about Turkey’s regional role and its support for Hamas, adding to concerns among some US lawmakers.
In short
- Trump backs a Turkish F-35 sale despite legal obstacles.
- Turkey remains excluded over its Russian S-400 system.
- The issue raises NATO and Middle East security concerns.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Allowing Turkey to return to the F-35 programme could reinforce NATO ties and give Washington greater influence over a strategically important ally. Supporters might argue that a negotiated resolution to the S-400 dispute, alongside safeguards for sensitive technology and compliance with US law, could address security concerns while reducing Turkey’s incentive to deepen military ties with Russia.
The case against
Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 system raises a direct risk that sensitive F-35 technology could be exposed, and the reported legal conditions for re-entry have not been met. Opponents may also argue that proceeding without resolving those issues would weaken sanctions policy, undermine confidence in statutory safeguards and create regional security concerns.
Explained simply
The F-35 is the world's most advanced fighter jet, developed by the United States and sold to its allies. Turkey was expelled from the programme in 2019 after purchasing the S-400, a Russian air-defence system, which raised American concerns about protecting the aircraft's classified technology.
Turkey's S-400 purchase triggered US sanctions and remains unresolved. The State Department has said Turkey must address this issue and satisfy other legal requirements before rejoining the F-35 programme, but President Trump is pushing for the sale to be allowed despite these conditions not yet being met.
The dispute is significant because it involves US relations with a NATO ally, the effectiveness of American sanctions policy, and the balance of military power in a strategically important region. Some Israeli and American officials have also raised broader concerns about Turkey's regional activities.
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