Ankara has reportedly begun bargaining once again to rejoin the F-35 program. According to Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, Turkey has proposed a solution to the ongoing dispute with the US over the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system.
Turkey’s bid to rejoin the F-35 program
To acquire US-made F-35 fighter jets, Ankara suggested “storing the S-400 in boxes and allowing the US to carry out inspections.” This offer aims to resolve the issue that led to Turkey’s expulsion from the fifth-generation fighter program.
A senior official at the U.S. embassy in Ankara, who remains unnamed, did not deny these claims. He was quoted as saying, “The ball is now in Turkey’s court,” implying that Turkey knows the conditions for purchasing the F-35s.
Additionally, Turkey reportedly seeks to gain an advantage over Greece and has requested one squadron of F-35s and one of F-35Bs from the U.S.
Ongoing obstacles and strategic implications
Nevertheless, the presence of Russian-made S-400 system in Turkey remains a significant obstacle in Turkish-American relations. According to the report, Turkey proposed they store their missiles “in their packaging boxes and let the Americans inspect them.” If accepted, this solution might allow Turkey back into the F-35 program from which it was ousted due to the S-400 purchase.
Previously, Turkey was part of the Joint Strike Fighter program and played a role in manufacturing the F-35s. The US planned to deliver the first jets to Turkey in 2023 but removed Turkey from the program in July 2019 after it bought the S-400 system from Russia.
This purchase created a significant hurdle for Turkey and prevented it from acquiring an air capability that would have provided superiority over Greece.
Greece’s advantage and future prospects
Meanwhile, Greece’s decision to buy F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft could leave Turkey’s air force looking outdated. Greece expects to acquire fifth-generation stealth aircraft before Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkey is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighters through the KAAN project.
However, Turkey doesn’t expect to have these domestically-produced fighters ready before 2030. Turkey urgently needs F-35s to match the capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II that Greece expects to receive. Without them, Greece’s air force may hold a significant advantage over Turkey’s.
Turkey is actively seeking a solution to rejoin the F-35 program. Reports in the foreign press suggest that Turkey might sell the Russian S-400 to third countries, like Pakistan or India, without angering Russia.
US Ambassador Jeff Flake has played a key role in the recent improvement of Turkish-American relations. In a recent interview with Politico, Flake praised Turkey’s role in a recent prisoner exchange involving seven countries. He described Turkey as an essential partner.
He also revealed a joint US – Turkey naval exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean in August, which Ankara never officially announced.
