Netanyahu Warns Trump Against Delivering F-35 Fighter Jets and Engines to Turkey

The background is a planned arms deal: Experts expect Trump to promise Erdogan around 40 F-110 fighter jet engines on the sidelines of the NATO summit taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Trump had said regarding the arms deal that he would likely make the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "very happy."

Planned Engines for Turkey

The F-35 is considered one of the most modern fighter jets in the world. It was originally developed by the USA in cooperation with Turkey and other NATO states. However, the USA excluded Ankara from the project in 2019, after the NATO partner had acquired missile defense systems from Russia.

The F-35 and Its History with Turkey

According to its own statements, Turkey wants to install the engines in domestically produced KAAN stealth aircraft. KAAN is intended to replace the aging F-16 fleet of the Turkish Air Force. Erdogan had also repeatedly expressed the desire for F-35 aircraft.

However, Trump has since improved relations with Erdogan again. Observers interpret the possible promise of F-110 engines on the sidelines of the summit as a sign of this rapprochement. At the same time, Netanyahu accuses Washington of risks for regional stability.

Hurdles Through the US Congress

However, the sale of F-35 fighter jets would require the approval of the US Congress, where there is resistance to the arms deal. This means that a possible re-admission of Turkey into the F-35 program does not depend solely on the White House.

It is unclear how Washington will respond to Netanyahu's warning. Israel sees itself militarily as a guarantor of a delicate balance in the region and views Turkey's military buildup with concern. A US engine delivery to Turkey is likely to further exacerbate these tensions.

Observers point out that the issue could also come up at the NATO summit in Ankara. The alliance will discuss defense cooperation and arms exports there, among other things. The question of which modern weapons systems are delivered to NATO partners remains politically controversial.