Turkey's Potential Return to F-35 Program Amid CAATSA Sanctions Relief Talks
The NATO Summit in Ankara in July 2026 marked a turning point in US-Turkey defense relations, with President Trump expressing willingness to lift CAATSA sanctions imposed after Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 systems. US officials confirmed that Turkey's return to the F-35 fighter jet program is possible, with talks yielding 'promising' results. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that Congressional legal frameworks remain a necessary condition for any compromise. Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019, a year before formal CAATSA sanctions were imposed in December 2020. The sanctions targeted Turkey's defense procurement agency SSB and its officials. Even if sanctions are lifted, a multi-stage process including rebuilding military trust would precede full F-35 access. Strong opposition from Greece and Israel in the US Congress remains a significant obstacle.
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