Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared renewed hope for acquiring F-35 fighter jets following talks with President Donald Trump at this week’s NATO summit in The Hague. Turkey was ejected from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S-400 missile systems, but Erdogan now says discussions are back on track, citing Trump’s “well-intentioned” stance.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey paid over $1.3 billion for the jets and signaled interest in returning to the program, saying technical-level negotiations have resumed. He also proposed hosting a summit between President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting Turkey is seeking a central diplomatic role in regional peace efforts.
The Turkish leader expressed strong support for NATO but warned that mutual respect and cooperation must underpin the alliance. He noted that Turkey is prepared to take on more responsibility, so long as NATO reciprocates with fair treatment. F-35 access, according to Erdogan, would be a “concrete demonstration” of that sincerity.
President Trump and Erdogan met on Tuesday during the NATO summit—marking their first face-to-face since Trump’s return to office. Erdogan’s office said the two leaders discussed defense industry ties and reaffirmed a $100 billion bilateral trade goal. Erdogan also praised Trump’s efforts in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged continued U.S. engagement in Gaza and Ukraine.
Turkey’s ejection from the F-35 program followed its defiance in 2019, when it purchased Russian S-400 missile systems, prompting U.S. sanctions. The Pentagon raised concerns that S-400 systems could compromise F-35 stealth technology. Despite these setbacks, Erdogan remains intent on either rejoining the program or receiving full reimbursement.
The recent U.S.-Israel bombing campaign, “Operation Midnight Hammer,” likely reinforced Turkey’s interest in the F-35. President Trump, speaking at the summit, described the operation’s use of stealth bombers, F-22s, and F-35s to bypass Iranian air defenses. Iran’s Russian-made S-400 systems failed to detect or intercept any U.S. or Israeli aircraft, validating the F-35’s battlefield value.
While the F-35 has drawn criticism for its costs and maintenance challenges, its recent performance has renewed interest from sidelined allies. Turkey, once a key F-35 production partner, lost an estimated $9 billion in economic opportunities due to its removal from the program. Trump is unlikely to offer financial compensation, making renewed participation Turkey’s most strategic path forward.
Erdogan has ruled Turkey for two decades, reshaping its secular legacy and asserting Islamic authority across the Middle East. While NATO often finds him a difficult partner, his nation’s geographic and strategic significance keeps Turkey in the alliance’s inner circle.
