U.S. President Donald Trump, during his meeting with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara, hinted that he is prepared to readmit Turkey to the F-35 program. He also expressed readiness to sell these fighter jets to the Turkish Air Force.
This move would mark a shift in U.S. policy. Israel fears that this would disrupt the regional balance. Israel believes this contradicts U.S. promises to maintain its military superiority.
Trump called Turkey a reliable ally. He noted that the U.S. will certainly consider the issue of the sale. For his part, Erdogan expressed hope that the matter would receive a positive resolution.
It should be recalled that in 2019, Turkey was removed from the F-35 program. The reason was the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems. U.S. officials argued that these systems jeopardize the security of the fighter jets.
U.S. Vice President Vance stated that the Pentagon is studying the possibility of a sale, despite the presence of the Russian systems. Trump has ordered an evaluation to determine whether the deal can be executed within the framework of American law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously asked Trump to refrain from selling such weaponry to Turkey. 18 U.S. lawmakers have also called for the sale to be blocked. They argue that it would violate U.S. laws and sanctions.
