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U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute

U.S. Reviewing Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Turkey Amid S-400 Dispute. Source: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The United States is reviewing the possibility of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, according to comments made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday. The move signals a potential shift in relations between Washington and Ankara after years of tension surrounding Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system in 2019.

Speaking to reporters, Vance said the matter is currently being evaluated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials. He explained that several legal and regulatory requirements must be verified before any progress can be made on a potential F-35 deal with Turkey.

“Pete and the entire team are reviewing this right now, because there are certain things that we have to certify have happened in order to comply with American law,” Vance said. He added that President Donald Trump has directed the administration to conduct the review.

The F-35 fighter jet program has been a major point of contention between the United States and Turkey. Ankara was originally a partner in the multinational F-35 program and planned to purchase the advanced stealth aircraft. However, Turkey was removed from the program after acquiring the Russian S-400 air defense system, a move that raised security concerns among U.S. officials and NATO allies.

Washington argued that the presence of the S-400 system alongside F-35 aircraft could potentially expose sensitive military technology to Russia. As a result, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey and suspended its participation in the fighter jet program.

The latest review suggests the Trump administration is exploring options to address the longstanding dispute while ensuring compliance with U.S. law. Any decision regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey will likely depend on whether Ankara meets the legal and security conditions required by Washington.

The development is being closely watched by defense analysts and NATO partners, as it could have significant implications for U.S.-Turkey relations, regional security, and the future of military cooperation between the two allies.

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