According to a New York Times report, President Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Erdogan he intends to return Turkey to the F-35 program, lifting the 2019 ban. The administration plans to overcome legal hurdles by ensuring Turkey no longer operates the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, possibly by transferring the systems to a third party or deactivating them. The move requires congressional approval and remains uncertain.
The New York Times reports that President Trump will signal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan his readiness to return Turkey to the F-35 stealth fighter program, adding new details on how the administration plans to bypass the legal obstacle that has blocked the move since 2019. According to the report, the White House will seek to ensure Turkey no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 air defense system — options under discussion include transferring the systems to a third party or rendering them inoperable. The plan is expected to be conveyed during the NATO summit in Ankara, but no final decision has been announced and Congress may still block the sale.
The report follows an earlier New York Times story, covered by The Zioneer at 05:51 Jerusalem today, which first reported Trump's intention to signal Erdogan. The prior report noted the decision came after weeks of deliberations among national security officials. Over the past two weeks, as The Zioneer has documented, Trump has increasingly signaled openness to the sale: on June 25 he said he would "likely approve" the F-35 and engine sale to Turkey, and Vice President Vance subsequently ordered a legal compliance review.
The move would reverse the 2019 ban imposed after Turkey acquired the S-400, and carries strategic implications for Israel's regional air supremacy, as previously analyzed by The Zioneer. While the Israeli Air Force would retain dominance, the sale could erode its near-total air superiority. The congressional hurdle remains the primary uncertainty.
2 developments
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- StrongTrump expected to visit Turkey, meet Erdogan, hints at 'big bag of gifts' including F-35 deal
- DevelopingAnalysis: Erdogan's window for F-35s is now, deal appears increasingly realistic
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
Source and signal
- Internal intake