Trump signals openness to selling Turkey F-35 fighter jets
Summary
President Donald Trump said he is considering allowing Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet program and selling jets to the Turkish air force. Turkey was removed from the program in 2019 after buying a Russian missile system, which the U.S. says poses security risks.Key Facts
- President Trump met with Turkish President Erdoğan in Ankara and showed openness to selling F-35 jets to Turkey.
- Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 because it bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
- Allowing Turkey back would make it the first country in the region involved in building F-35s and the second to have them after Israel.
- Israel opposes the sale, fearing it would threaten the regional power balance and violate U.S. promises to protect Israel’s military edge.
- Vice President Vance said the Pentagon is reviewing how the U.S. could legally sell F-35s to Turkey despite its Russian defense system.
- 18 U.S. lawmakers have urged Congress to block any sale of F-35 jets to Turkey while it still operates the S-400.
- President Trump praised Turkey as a loyal U.S. ally and noted it did not join the war with Iran despite missile attacks on Turkish soil.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently asked President Trump to avoid selling weapons that would strengthen Turkey’s air force.
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