Turkey was removed from the F‑35 programme in response to its procurement of the Russian S‑400 air defence system, which led to US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act and later congressional legislation banning Turkey’s involvement while it retained the S‑400s.
Trump, wearing a Lockheed F‑22 lapel pin during the meeting, also stated the discussion would cover the Patriot anti‑missile system, the F‑35A, and pending Lockheed Martin F‑16 Block 70 sales.
He further elaborated that any reversal would depend on Turkey reciprocating in negotiations: “We may do that. Well, it depends. [Erdogan’s] going to do something for us.”
Opposition exists among some U.S. lawmakers, who cite concerns over Turkey’s relations with Israel and Greece.
Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, later told CNN Türk: “I had said that the F‑35s would be resolved by the end of the year. I won’t be wrong.”
While Trump’s statements reflect confidence in reversing the ban, it remains unclear how the reinstatement could proceed without either a change in US law or Turkey dismantling or divesting its S‑400 systems.
Source: Aviation Week.
