Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech during the open ceremony during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, southern Turkey, on April 17, 2026. [Riza Ozel/AP]
Discussions over the possible sale of US-made General Electric engines for Turkey’s domestically designed KAAN fighter jet have reemerged as part of broader negotiations concerning Ankara’s efforts to rejoin the F-35 fifth-generation fighter program.
The issue has gained momentum in recent hours with the active involvement of US President Donald Trump.
Since Trump’s return to the White House, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used his direct personal channel with the US president in an effort to secure Turkey’s return to the F-35 program.
However, the prospect of rejoining the program remains highly complicated because of Turkey’s possession of Russian-made S-400 missile systems and the restrictions linked to the US CAATSA law, which targets America’s adversaries through sanctions.
