Trump Plans to Offer F-35 Jets to Turkey Amid NATO Summit, Netanyahu Opposes Sale

US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are meeting today in Ankara for the NATO summit. According to the New York Times, Trump is expected to announce his willingness to reinstate Turkey into the F-35 stealth fighter program and sell the country F-35 jets. Trump will also meet with NATO Secretary General and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the summit before returning to the US tomorrow.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly opposed the potential sale in a Fox News interview, urging the US not to provide F-35s to Turkey. Netanyahu criticized Erdogan's regime as influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood ideology, which he described as extremist and anti-American. He highlighted concerns about Turkey's military actions, including its control over half of Cyprus and threats to Greece, as well as its support for Hamas and lack of cooperation with the US regarding Iran.

Netanyahu warned that selling F-35s to Turkey would destabilize the regional balance of power, which currently relies on Israel's air superiority and the US military presence. Israeli defense officials have expressed fears that the sale could significantly jeopardize the Israeli Air Force's operational freedom. This comes amid deteriorating Turkey-Israel relations and Turkey's increasing involvement in Gaza.

About two weeks ago, Trump referred to Erdogan as "my friend" and mentioned that Erdogan personally invited him to the summit, hinting at a forthcoming gesture that would please the Turkish leader. Israeli media reported that the potential sale has raised alarm within the IDF due to the strategic risks it poses.