US expects to reach agreement with Türkiye on F-35s, ambassador says

The sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye is achievable and eventually expected to go ahead, the US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has stated.

He acknowledged concerns in the US Congress that technical data related to the American-made aircraft could end up in Russian hands, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

However, according to him, the sale remains possible.

Speaking about his impressions from the NATO summit in Türkiye, Whitaker described the Turkish military as "They are a very capable ally, that they are integrated with the West."

He noted that the US and Türkiye need to strengthen relationship even further.

In his view, the United States has its own red lines, but he expressed confidence that President Donald Trump would be able to secure the right agreement on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the Turkish armed forces.

He also noted that, even if approved, deliveries would take time.

"If Türkiye were cleared for re-entry into the program, no jets would be delivered in the near term," Whitaker stressed.

The ambassador added that US legislation treats the issue of Türkiye's Russian-made S-400 air defence systems as a prerequisite for any potential F-35 sale.

"President Trump is working directly with Erdogan to achieve what the law demands," he said.

Six years ago, the US Congress passed legislation excluding Türkiye from the F-35 programme for as long as it possesses the Russian S-400 air defence systems. The decision was driven by concerns that sensitive information about the fighter jets could be exposed to Russia.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov