10.12.2025 01:06
The U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, announced the condition for Turkey to return to the F-35 fighter jet program. Barrack stated, "According to American laws, Turkey must no longer use or possess the Russian S-400 air defense system in order to return to the F-35 program."
While Turkey's participation in the F-35 program, which was initiated years ago, has turned into a saga, a new statement has come from the USA. The US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, announced Washington's condition for Turkey to return to the F-35 program.
BARRACK'S "F-35" STATEMENT
In a statement on his social media account, Barrack said that Turkey should not use or possess the Russian S-400 air defense system. Barrack stated: "The United States is continuing discussions with Turkey regarding its desire to rejoin the F-35 program and its possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system."
"TURKEY MUST NO LONGER HAVE THE S-400 SYSTEM"
"According to American laws, Turkey must no longer use or possess the S-400 system to return to the F-35 program. The positive relationship between US President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has created a new environment for cooperation."
"WE HOPE THE TALKS WILL CREATE A TURNING POINT"
This has led to the most productive discussions we have had on the subject in recent years. Our hope is that these talks will create a turning point that meets the security needs of both the US and Turkey in the coming months."
THE PROCESS OF TURKEY'S REMOVAL FROM THE F-35 PROGRAM
The process of Turkey's removal from the F-35 program was triggered by Turkey's decision to procure the S-400 air defense system from Russia. The US, as the main partner of the program, stated that these systems pose a security risk to the sensitive technologies of the F-35. Following this policy divergence, the US suspended Turkey's partnership in the F-35 program in July 2019, halted the training of Turkish pilots, and ended the role of Turkish companies in the production chain.
Finally, this process was finalized when the US officially announced Turkey's removal from the program in April 2021. The withdrawal from the program has directed Turkey towards new pursuits in air power modernization (such as focusing on Eurofighter or the domestic KAAN project).