Trump administration notifies Congress of planned sale of fighter jet engines to Turkey

The Trump administration has formally told Congress it intends to sell dozens of fighter jet engines to Turkey for more than $700 million. According to Reuters, the administration plans to proceed despite opposition from some lawmakers. In a June 24 letter to Congress, the State Department said the U.S. government was preparing to grant export licenses for the parts after weighing political, military, economic, human rights and arms control considerations.

The move is an important gesture for Ankara ahead of the NATO summit Turkey will host next month, and for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Trump considers a key ally. Congress has 15 days to pass a joint resolution blocking the deal, and any such measure would need approval from both the House and Senate and could still be vetoed by Trump.

Two sources, including a U.S. official, told Al Arabiya that Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York raised objections during an informal review with the administration and did not back the sale. Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and one of the deal’s strongest critics, said the components would not be delivered for years and accused the administration of repeatedly ignoring requests for information and clarification on key policy issues.

The General Electric engines would power the Kaan, Turkey’s first domestically produced fighter jet, a major program launched in 2016 as part of Ankara’s effort, as a NATO member, to gain greater defense independence. Turkey turned to the Kaan after strained relations with the West and arms embargoes, but officials say it will take years before it can replace the American F-16s that remain the backbone of the Turkish air force. Opposition in Washington also stems from Turkey’s 2019 purchase of a Russian air defense system, which triggered sanctions, led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program, and prompted a congressional ban on F-35 sales to Ankara while it retains S-400 systems. Several Democratic lawmakers voiced opposition on Thursday and warned the administration against selling F-35s to Turkey.