Turkey seeking way back into F-35 program
Ankara sending signals of retreat regarding use of S-400s to get Washington to lift sanctions
Turkey is seeking a solution to re-enter the American F-35 fighter jet program after being kicked out over its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile system. To this end, Ankara is pushing for the inclusion of an amendment in the 2025 US defense budget (NDAA) that would allow it to avoid sanctions over the S-400.
Ankara has been pursuing an intensive behind-the-scenes-diplomatic push in recent months to find a formula that will allow it to purchase F-35 jets from the US, changing the goals of its defense strategy. According to sources, its has entirely reversed its stance on the S-400 and now appears eager to make any concessions to satisfy Washington, and thus submit a formal request to the US State Department for the fifth-generation fighters.
“If a purchase request were to be submitted today by Turkey, it would be automatically rejected because of the sanctions,” a diplomatic source in Washington told Kathimerini, referring to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Turkey has apparently put out a number of alternative proposals, including arrangements for storing the S-400 missiles, having them inspected on a regular basis by Americans and even exporting them to other countries. Such proposals had been described as unworkable by Ankara when put forward in the past by American diplomats.
The Americans, who have never hidden their desire to find a definitive solution to the S-400 issue, are, according to sources, more than willing to listen. However, according to well-informed sources in Washington, the submission of a request for the purchase of the F-35s is not imminent.
Kathimerini’s sources say that the Turks have managed to gain influence in congressional lawmaking circles and to initiate efforts to file amendments to the 2025 NDAA that would help Turkey break free from CAATSA shackles.
According to sources, the initial draft amendment distributed in secret in Congress was promptly withdrawn. However, it was shortly followed by a second, whose spirit was that CAATSA restrictions may be lifted provided the Russian system remains inactive. If such an amendment is enacted into US law through the defense budget, Turkey’s problems could be resolved because the interpretation of “inactive” allows for significant maneuverability.
