Turkey's Potential Return to F-35 Program Amid CAATSA Sanctions Review
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 Ankara's return to the F-35 fighter jet program is possible, with talks yielding 'promising' results. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that the US Congress's legal framework remains a necessary condition for any compromise. CAATSA sanctions, imposed in December 2020, targeted Turkey's defense procurement agency SSB and its officials, banning export licenses and financing. Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 despite being a key partner producing over 1,000 components and paying $1.4 billion. The US Congress faces lobbying pressure from Greece and Israel opposing F-35 sales to Turkey, citing regional power balance concerns.
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