U.S. Examines Possible Sale of F-35 Jets to Turkey Despite S-400 Issue

The United States is reviewing whether it could sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, Vice President J.D. Vance said on Wednesday, according to Reuters on Thursday. The review comes despite Turkey having bought Russian-made S-400 air defense systems in 2019, a purchase that has kept it at odds with the F-35 program.

U.S. law does not allow Turkey to operate or possess the S-400 system if it wants to rejoin the F-35 program. Vance told reporters, "Pete [Hegseth, the secretary of war] and the whole team are looking at it now," adding, "There are some things we need to make sure happened... to comply with U.S. law. The president asked us to do this."

Israel also operates F-35 aircraft. Last month, the Israel Defense Forces said the ministerial committee on procurement had approved a fourth squadron of the advanced jet, known in Israel as the Adir, to be acquired by the Defense Ministry from Lockheed Martin. The report was accompanied by a reference to a wider multi-billion-shekel buildup, including plans for the IDF to buy two fighter squadrons.