Trump Plans to Reinstate Turkey in F-35 Fighter Jet Program Despite Congressional Hurdles

President Donald Trump is expected to inform Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he intends to reinstate Turkey in the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, reversing a ban he imposed seven years ago over national security concerns. This announcement is anticipated during Trump's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit this week, where he reportedly plans to present Erdogan with a "very pleasing" gift. However, the move faces potential opposition in the U.S. Congress, which may attempt to block the sale.

Four senior U.S. officials described this policy shift as the result of weeks of behind-the-scenes efforts by national security officials to break the deadlock. While details on how Trump might circumvent congressional and legal restrictions remain unclear, sources told The New York Times that Trump is likely to approve transferring the fighter jets to Turkey, though the timing is uncertain. Officials cautioned that Trump’s position could still change, as he is known to be unpredictable even with his own team.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing advanced Russian S-400 missile defense systems, raising fears in Washington that Turkey could use the S-400s to gather intelligence on the F-35’s stealth capabilities and share that information with Russia. Erdogan has been one of the leaders Trump admires most, and Vice President Mike Pence recently noted that Trump instructed administration officials to find a way to deliver the jets to Turkey.

To comply with a 2020 law blocking F-35 sales unless Turkey no longer possesses the Russian systems, Turkey may have to transfer its S-400s to a third party or render them inoperable, though no final plan has been agreed upon. Previous proposals to send the systems to Ukraine failed, and it is unlikely either Erdogan or Trump would agree to sell the systems to Ukraine now. Turkey has long sought to rejoin the F-35 program but has refused to give up the Russian air defense systems despite being a NATO member hosting U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of selling F-35s to Turkey, warning that Erdogan openly calls for Israel’s destruction and threatens NATO allies Cyprus and Greece. Meanwhile, the F-35 jets Turkey paid for but never received remain stored in the U.S. Trump is scheduled to meet Erdogan upon arrival in Ankara and will attend NATO events before departing Turkey on Wednesday.