US welcomes Türkiye back to F-35 program after S-400 solved

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made significant statements about Türkiye’s armament program during his ministry’s 2025 budget defense at the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission on November 26. According to his statements, the United States, which had previously expelled Türkiye from the F-35 fighter jet program over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, has apparently shifted its position. He said that despite the S-400 issue, the US has opened the possibility of Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program, and Türkiye has submitted a new request to purchase 40 F-35s.

Güler emphasized that Türkiye’s successful flight of its indigenous fighter jet KAAN played a role in this change of stance.

This development raises several questions:

For example, Türkiye’s exclusion from the F-35 project was based on a Congressional decision under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Even if the White House changes its position, could it circumvent this Congressional decision?

Güler also claimed that the US “no longer had objections” regarding the S-400 systems. What kind of arrangement with the US could have resolved their objections to the S-400s?

The US has not issued any official statement on these matters.

“A return to the F-35 program would be welcome, but…”

A US source familiar with the matter agreed to provide a limited statement to YetkinReport. The direct quote reads:

“The U.S. position on the S-400 issue remains unchanged. By US law, this issue must be resolved before progress can be made on the F-35 issue. The U.S. would be delighted to consider welcoming Türkiye back into the F-35 family once we resolve this issue.”

The US official’s statement appears carefully worded to avoid direct contradiction with Minister Güler’s remarks.

Nevertheless, two points are clear:

1- The American position on the S-400s remains unchanged

2- The sole obstacle to Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program remains the unresolved S-400 issue

The statement doesn’t directly address Güler’s claim about applying to purchase 40 F-35s. It’s also becoming apparent that previous denials by both Turkish and US officials about ongoing discussions were inaccurate, as talks were indeed taking place.

F-16 program progressing smoothly

During his parliamentary presentation, Minister Güler also addressed the F-16 procurement program alongside the F-35 and S-400 issues.

He explained that rather than purchasing 40 new F-16 Block 70 “Viper” aircraft and 79 modernization kits for existing F-16s at $23 billion, Türkiye will instead acquire 40 aircraft for $7 billion, with modernization work to be conducted at TUSAŞ facilities in Ankara. This arrangement would necessitate technology and know-how transfer to Türkiye, particularly regarding mission computers.

The same US source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated regarding the F-16s:

“We’re fully committed to the success of the F-16 sale. The Block 70 version of the F-16 that Turkiye is buying will be the most advanced F-16 version ever built. Of course, a deal of this magnitude and strategic significance requires a lot of fine details be resolved, but we’re happy with progress on that front.”

F-35 return unlikely while S-400 issue persists

The delivery timeline for the new F-16s remains undefined; the reference to “fine details to be resolved” alludes to this uncertainty. However, conducting the modernization work in Türkiye is expected to expedite the overall process.

Despite Güler’s optimistic outlook, Türkiye’s aspiration to rejoin the F-35 program appears unlikely to materialize while the S-400 situation remains unresolved.

Türkiye’s removal from the F-35 program occurred during Donald Trump’s presidency. While there’s currently no indication that Trump’s potential return to office on January 20, 2025, would facilitate Türkiye’s readmission to the F-35 program, it’s evident that Ankara hasn’t abandoned hope.