Trump expected to tell Turkey he is ready to restore access to F-35 jetsrestore access to F-35 jets
President Donald Trump is expected to inform Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the US will allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter program, according to a New York Times report citing senior administration officials.
This decision follows weeks of diplomatic engagement and comes as the US considers the broader strategic implications of Turkey's military capabilities in the Middle East.
The move represents a significant shift in US-Turkey relations and could influence regional power dynamics.
Western Media
Western Media outlets report that President Trump is willing to reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 program based on senior US administration officials, viewing this as a diplomatic reset with a key NATO ally.
Indian Perspective
Some Indian analysts argue that restoring Turkey's access to F-35s and their engines could upset the power balance in the Middle East, questioning whether the US should grant such advanced weaponry to the country.
- Turkey purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2017, which triggered its suspension from the F-35 program.
- The F-35 program has cost over $400 billion since its inception, making it one of the most expensive military projects in history.
- Turkey operates the second-largest F-16 fleet in the world after the US, highlighting its dependence on American fighter aircraft technology.
