Phoenix 24
A potential defense shift tests NATO trust and regional strategy
Washington, United States | June 2026
United States President Donald Trump has opened the door to a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a move that could reshape one of the most complicated defense disputes inside NATO. The signal comes after years of tension between Washington and Ankara over Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, a decision that led the United States to remove Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019.
The issue remains sensitive because the F-35 is one of the most advanced stealth fighter aircraft in the world and forms a central part of the military modernization strategy of several NATO allies. Washington has long argued that Turkey’s possession of the Russian-made S-400 system creates security risks, since the system could potentially collect information about the aircraft’s capabilities and compromise allied technology.
Turkey, however, has insisted that it needs advanced air defense and modern combat aircraft to protect its national security interests. Ankara has repeatedly sought to return to the F-35 program or obtain alternative solutions that allow its air force to remain competitive in a region marked by instability, rival alliances and growing military competition.
Trump’s comments suggest that the White House may be willing to explore a new arrangement with Ankara, although any final decision would face legal, military and political obstacles. American law still restricts F-35 sales to Turkey as long as the S-400 issue remains unresolved, and members of Congress have expressed concerns about restoring access to sensitive defense technology without clear guarantees.
The possible shift comes as the Trump administration also moves forward with a separate defense transaction involving jet engines for Turkey’s KAAN fighter, Ankara’s first domestically developed combat aircraft. That engine sale has been interpreted as a sign of renewed strategic engagement between the two NATO allies, even if it does not automatically mean Turkey will return to the F-35 program.
For the United States, repairing defense ties with Turkey could serve several strategic objectives. Turkey occupies a crucial geographic position between Europe, the Middle East, the Black Sea and the eastern Mediterranean. Its role inside NATO remains important for regional deterrence, migration policy, energy routes, maritime security and the broader balance of power involving Russia and the Middle East.
At the same time, any agreement would require Washington to manage the concerns of other allies. Greece, Cyprus and several European partners have closely followed Turkey’s military modernization efforts, particularly because of longstanding disputes in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel’s qualitative military edge and the regional implications of advanced aircraft sales may also factor into the broader strategic calculation.
For Ankara, reentering the F-35 program would represent both a military and diplomatic victory. Turkey had previously invested in the project and expected to receive the aircraft before being expelled from the program. Regaining access would help modernize its air force, strengthen its aerospace industry and signal that relations with Washington are moving toward normalization after years of distrust.
The controversy also reflects a wider challenge facing NATO: how to maintain alliance cohesion when member states pursue defense relationships that conflict with collective security priorities. Turkey remains a formal NATO ally, but its independent foreign policy, relations with Russia and regional ambitions have repeatedly created friction with Washington and European capitals.
Congress is expected to play a decisive role if the administration formally advances a new F-35 pathway for Turkey. Lawmakers from both parties have previously warned that the S-400 system must be addressed before any return to the program can be considered. Without a credible solution, a sale could face strong opposition and potentially become another point of confrontation between the White House and Capitol Hill.
The debate is therefore not only about aircraft. It is about trust, technology, alliance discipline and the limits of strategic compromise. Selling F-35 jets to Turkey would require balancing the benefits of repairing ties with a major NATO ally against the risks of exposing sensitive systems and weakening the credibility of previous sanctions.
For now, Trump’s remarks mark a political opening rather than a completed agreement. The coming weeks will show whether Washington and Ankara can identify a formula that satisfies legal requirements, security concerns and diplomatic expectations. If such a deal advances, it could become one of the most consequential defense decisions in the relationship between the United States and Turkey in recent years.
Phoenix24 News | Information with responsibility.