Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Turkey and US Discuss F-35 Rejoining
Turkey and the United States are talking about Turkey joining the F-35 fighter jet programme again.
Turkey was removed from the programme in 2020 because it bought air defence systems from Russia, which the US doesn't like.
The US says these Russian systems are a problem, but Turkey says they won't be a problem for NATO.
Both countries hope to find a solution soon.
The US ambassador to Turkey says their relationship with Turkey is better now, and they are having good talks about this issue.
Turkey and the US are in ongoing discussions about Turkey rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme.
Turkey was removed from the programme in 2020 due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems.
The US says the S-400s pose a threat to F-35 jets and NATO's defence systems, but Turkey disagrees.
Turkey has rejected the idea of giving up the S-400s to return to the F-35 programme.
Both countries hope to find a solution soon, with the US ambassador expressing optimism for a breakthrough in the coming months.
- Who
- Turkey and the United States
- What
- Discussions about Turkey rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme
- When
- Ongoing discussions, with hopes for a breakthrough in the coming months
- Where
- Turkey and the United States
- Why
- To resolve the issue of Turkey's possession of Russian S-400 air defence systems and its removal from the F-35 programme
- Countries Involved
- Turkey, United States
- Programme in Question
- F-35 fighter jet programme
- Obstacle to Rejoining
- Turkey's possession of Russian S-400 air defence systems
- US Ambassador to Turkey
- Tom Barrack
- Turkish Foreign Minister
- Hakan Fidan
- Year of Removal from Programme
- 2020
- US President Mentioned
- Donald Trump
- Turkish President
- Tayyip Erdogan