Erdogan: Ankara expects US to deliver on F-35 and F-16 commitments

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he intends to raise the issue of purchasing American F-35 and F-16 fighter jets during his upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, September 25.

Erdogan made the announcement in an interview with Fox News on September 22.

“We are going to hold talks on this issue once again. We expect the United States to also do everything that is required of them, both with regard to F-35 fighter jets and F-16 fighter jets,” Erdogan stated.

He added that discussions would not be limited to potential deliveries but would also cover the possibility of production and long-term maintenance of the aircraft models.

The long-running dispute over Türkiye’s role in the F-35 programme stems from Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. In 2019, Washington expelled Türkiye from the development and production programme, despite the fact that Turkish companies were manufacturing components, fuselage parts, and certain systems for the jets. The US has repeatedly said that Türkiye’s return would only be possible if it renounces the S-400 systems.

At the end of June, US Ambassador to Türkiye Thomas Barrack indicated that Ankara and Washington could potentially resolve the issue of Türkiye’s exclusion from the programme by the end of 2025, suggesting there was still space for negotiation.

Erdogan’s meeting with Trump comes against the backdrop of broader cooperation between the two countries. On September 19, Trump, announcing the Turkish leader’s arrival at the White House, underlined that the US and Türkiye are bound by numerous joint trade and military agreements. Two days later, on September 21, Erdogan noted that he would also discuss “vital steps” concerning the Middle East region with the American president.

By Tamilla Hasanova