Washington is discussing the possible transfer of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, said US Vice President JD Vance. Work on deliveries is being carried out jointly with Congress but requires compliance verification with laws.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is studying the details of the deal and the necessary legal confirmations, Vance added.
US Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack emphasized in January 2026 that the country's legislation stipulates that Turkey must no longer operate or own the S-400 system to return to the F-35 program.
It should be recalled that Turkish authorities purchased four divisions of air defense systems; the contract value was estimated at $2.5 billion.
In 2019, Rosoboronexport announced the fulfillment of its obligations for the supply of air defense systems. Later, Washington excluded Turkey from the F-35 program, demanding that it abandon the S-400.