Turkish president says his country expects concrete US steps on F-35

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said he expects US President Donald Trump to take concrete steps towards Türkiye’s return to the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Speaking to journalists at the Turkish House (Turkevi Centre) in New York, he recalled his meeting with US President Donald Trump, noting that they discussed this issue within NATO, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

“He demonstrated a positive attitude towards Türkiye’s return to the F-35 programme. Now we expect this attitude to translate into concrete steps. We continue our contacts on this issue. I believe we will achieve a result,” Erdoğan noted.

In his words, “cooperation between Ankara and Washington has progressed significantly compared with the period when the previous administration was in power” in the United States.

Erdoğan stressed that Ankara was prioritising the development of its domestic defence industry.

“Our domestic defence industry is extremely important to us. We want to produce our own fighter jets, primarily the Kaan, air defence systems and develop our defence industry capabilities,” Erdoğan said.

Erdoğan also said negotiations with the UK over Eurofighter fighter jets were continuing.

“We held a meeting with the British prime minister. Our work with them on Eurofighter continues. Türkiye has security and defence needs, as well as strategic objectives,” he added.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov