The US is considering the possibility of reinstating Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet supply program, but for this, Ankara will have to abandon the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft systems. According to Euractiv, a variant is being discussed where Turkey would not return the systems to Russia but would sell them to a third country.
South Korea is being considered as one of the potential buyers. Such a scenario would remove one of the main obstacles that led to Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program back in 2019 after purchasing Russian air defense systems.
At that time, the US stated that the simultaneous operation of S-400s and the latest American fighter jets could allow data to be collected on the detection characteristics of F-35s and potentially reduce their stealth capabilities.
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.
Комментарии