US Weighs S-400 Deal to Bring Turkey Back to F-35
Trump administration is discussing Turkey’s return to the F-35 program if Ankara disables S-400 systems, but Congress may resist the deal.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the possibility of bringing Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet procurement program, Semafor reported. Under the scenario being considered, Ankara would have to disable its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems.
Washington believes such a move could remove one of the main legal barriers to selling F-35 aircraft to Turkey. The issue centers on restrictions introduced by the US Congress after Ankara purchased the Russian S-400 systems.
According to Semafor, one option under discussion would require the Turkish government to deactivate elements of the Russian air defense systems in order to restore Ankara’s access to the F-35 program.
The outlet noted that the idea of disabling Turkey’s S-400 systems is not new and has been discussed before. However, the fact that it has returned to the agenda points to progress in talks over possible F-35 deliveries to Turkey.
At the same time, the initiative could face resistance in Congress. Semafor reported that some lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties believe the current restrictions prohibit Turkey not only from using the S-400 systems, but also from owning them.
The report comes after Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The US leader said relations between Washington and Ankara are now better than ever. He also signaled that the United States is ready to lift sanctions imposed on Turkey in 2020 over its purchase of Russian systems.