Türkiye's F-35 Bid: Trump's NATO Summit Signals and the Road Back to the Programme

At the 36th NATO Summit held in Ankara on July 7-8, 2026, US President Donald Trump signaled the clearest movement yet toward reversing Washington's six-year ban on selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Türkiye, a decision that would mark a major turning point in US-Turkish defence relations.

Background to the Ban
Türkiye was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme in 2019 after Ankara took delivery of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system. Washington argued the Russian system posed a security risk to the American jets. In 2020, the US went further, imposing sanctions on a major Turkish defence firm under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

The removal carried three separate consequences: it halted aircraft deliveries, ended Ankara's role as a production partner in the Joint Strike Fighter programme, and created a legal prohibition that cannot be undone by presidential preference alone, since Congress passed a law barring F-35 sales as long as Türkiye retains the S-400s.

What Trump Announced in Ankara
Speaking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Bestepe Presidential Complex, Trump declared that Washington would begin lifting the CAATSA sanctions, telling reporters, "We're going to be taking the sanctions off." On the matter of F-35 sales specifically, he stopped short of a firm commitment, describing the jet as "the best plane by far" and saying the sale was "certainly something we will consider." Vice President JD Vance had earlier confirmed that the Department of Defense and other agencies were reviewing whether Türkiye could meet the legal certifications required under US law.

Erdoğan, for his part, said Türkiye had previously been promised five aircraft and expressed hope for a "favorable decision." He also raised the matter of engines for Türkiye's homegrown KAAN fifth-generation fighter programme in his talks with Trump, alongside prospects for joint defence-industry cooperation covering frigates, submarines, and corvettes.

Israeli Objections and Regional Pushback
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that selling F-35s to Türkiye would "upset the power balance in the Middle East," which he said is guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and America's regional posture. Netanyahu also invoked Erdoğan's rhetoric toward Israel in his objections. Greece has likewise opposed the sale, a position Erdoğan dismissed as mistaken.

What Comes Next
Analysts note that what changed in Ankara was procedural and political rather than contractual no signed sale, delivery schedule, or congressional notification was announced. Türkiye's path back into the programme still depends on a formal compliance review and could face resistance in Congress, where lawmakers have flagged Ankara's continued defence ties with Moscow as a security concern. Even so, Turkish officials describe the shift in Washington's posture, alongside the broader defence-industry showcase at the summit, as evidence of a warming alliance relationship under the current US administration.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
mustysallama@gmail.com
+233-555-275-880

References
Al Jazeera, "Trump says will lift sanctions on Turkiye, 'consider' selling F-35s," July 7, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/7/trump-says-will-lift-sanctions-on-turkiye-consider-selling-f-35s

Army Recognition, "Trump signals possible U.S. reversal on Türkiye's F-35 fighter jet ban at NATO Ankara summit." https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2026/trump-turkey-f35-deal-nato-summit

The Times of Israel, "NATO summit and Trump's support for F-35s sale boost Turkey's standing, as slumping Israel sees clout erode." https://www.timesofisrael.com/nato-summit-trumps-support-for-f-35s-sale-boost-turkeys-standing-as-slumping-israel-sees-clout-erode/
Jerusalem Post, "US expected to send six F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, lift bans, following NATO summit - report." https://www.jpost.com/international/article-901902

ABC News, "Trump says he'll consider giving Turkey F-35 jets, adds that US will lift sanctions." https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-hell-giving-turkey-35-jets-adds-us/story?id=134547490

Defense News, "US will lift sanctions on Turkey, possibly sell F-35 fighter jets, Trump says," July 7, 2026. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/07/07/us-will-lift-sanctions-on-turkey-possibly-sell-f-35-fighter-jets-trump-says/

Jerusalem Post, "US to lift Turkey sanctions, decide on sale of F-35 fighter jets, Trump says ahead of NATO summit." https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-901745

Al-Monitor, "Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale." https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trump-says-us-will-lift-caatsa-sanctions-turkey-consider-f-35-sale

PBS News, "WATCH: Trump says in Erdogan meeting that U.S. will lift Turkey sanctions, consider selling F-35s." https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-trump-says-in-erdogan-meeting-that-u-s-will-lift-turkey-sanctions-consider-selling-f-35s

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