By DAYO ADESULU
For years, Turkey has sought to modernize its air force with one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets. But that ambition has once again encountered strong resistance in Washington, where concerns over national security and regional stability continue to outweigh military cooperation.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to reject any proposal that would allow Turkey to purchase the F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
The lawmakers argue that approving the sale would not only pose a potential risk to U.S. military technology but could also deepen tensions in an already volatile Eastern Mediterranean region.
Concerns Over Erdoğan’s Position on Israel
In a letter addressed to the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, the lawmakers expressed alarm over repeated remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticizing Israel.
According to them, Erdoğan’s comments have unsettled key American allies and raised fresh questions about Turkey’s reliability as a strategic partner.
The lawmakers warned that approving the sale of the sophisticated fighter aircraft under the current circumstances could undermine confidence among U.S. allies, particularly Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.
Russian Missile System Remains a Major Obstacle
Another major concern highlighted in the letter is Turkey’s continued possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
U.S. officials have long argued that operating the S-400 alongside the F-35 could expose highly classified American military technology to Russia, potentially compromising one of the Pentagon’s most advanced defense platforms.
Because of those concerns, Washington removed Turkey from the multinational F-35 programme in 2019 after Ankara proceeded with the purchase of the Russian missile defense system.
The lawmakers insist that the security concerns that led to Turkey’s removal from the programme have not disappeared.
Lawmakers Warn Against Sending the Wrong Signal
In the bipartisan letter, members of Congress said allowing Turkey to acquire the aircraft could send the wrong message to American allies across the Eastern Mediterranean.
They argued that such a decision could embolden what they described as Turkey’s increasingly aggressive regional posture while weakening U.S. efforts to promote stability among its partners.
The letter stated:
> “Allowing Turkey to acquire U.S. fighter aircraft would further encourage its aggressive behavior and could undermine regional stability.”
A Relationship Still Marked by Distrust
The dispute over the F-35 fighter jets has become one of the biggest points of disagreement between Washington and Ankara in recent years.
Although both countries remain members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, disagreements over defense cooperation, regional conflicts, and Turkey’s growing military ties with Russia have strained relations.
With members of Congress once again urging the White House to keep the restrictions in place, Turkey’s hopes of rejoining the F-35 programme appear uncertain. The latest appeal also highlights the continuing challenge of balancing military alliances with national security concerns in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
