US reviews F-35 path as Türkiye seeks defense deals
The United States is reviewing how it could move forward on Türkiye’s long-standing request for F-35 fighter jets as Ankara also seeks U.S.-made engines for its domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft.
The issue returned to focus after President Donald Trump said during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte that he would likely take a step that would make Türkiye “very happy” when asked about Ankara’s request for F-35s and jet engines.
Trump stressed Türkiye’s role in NATO, calling it a strong member of the alliance, and said he planned to attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on July 7-8 out of respect for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“People don’t know how big Türkiye is in terms of the military,” Trump said, noting that Ankara has a strong force and uses substantial U.S. military equipment.
