Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the Trump administration currently lacks the legal authority to alter Turkey’s status in the F-35 program, citing statutory restrictions linked to Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
The issue arose during Rubio’s testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, when Representative Dina Titus challenged recent comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggesting that Turkey should be brought back into the F-35 program. Titus argued that such remarks were inconsistent with existing US law and longstanding American policy and asked Rubio directly whether Turkey could receive F-15s or F-35s.
In response, Rubio recalled that Turkey had originally been a participant in the F-35 program but was excluded after purchasing the Russian-made S-400 system.
“The reason why they can’t get them is because they purchased the S-400 system from the Russians,” Rubio said.
When Titus noted that Turkey still possesses the S-400s and remains subject to mandatory sanctions, Rubio agreed and stressed that the matter is governed by law.
