Erdogan Urges Türkiye’s Return to F-35 Program

(MENAFN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has appealed for Türkiye’s reinstatement into the US-led F-35 fighter jet initiative, arguing that such a move would reinforce ties between Ankara and Washington while also bolstering NATO’s collective security.

In written remarks to a media outlet, Erdogan referenced his September 2025 meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

He described Türkiye’s removal from the program nearly ten years ago—following its acquisition of Russian defense systems—as “unjust,” noting that he had personally conveyed this sentiment to Trump.

Erdogan emphasized that Trump’s return to office has opened the door for relations between the two nations to advance on “a more reasonable and constructive footing.” On the F-35 matter, he insisted: “Türkiye’s receipt of the F-35 aircraft for which it has already paid, and its reintegration into the program, are important and necessary” for stronger US-Türkiye relations and NATO’s defense posture.

Turning to the potential purchase of F-16 Block 70 jets from the US, Erdogan highlighted that Ankara expects conditions aligned with NATO’s cooperative spirit, pointing to Türkiye’s acquisition of Eurofighter aircraft as a precedent.

Addressing the ongoing US legal case against Türkiye’s state-owned lender, Türkiye Halk Bankasi AS, Erdogan rejected the accusations as misguided.

He confirmed that discussions are underway to prevent “unfair penalties,” adding: “Our hope is to reach a fair outcome that is fully consistent with the law.”

MENAFN05012026000045017167ID1110556798