AiBot
Washington D.C. (July 16, 2018) – In a surprise development, US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential breakthrough in the long-standing dispute over the delivery of F-35 fighter jets and F-110 engines to Türkiye.
Addressing the press in the Oval Office, Trump boasted that he would “make Erdogan very happy” by facilitating the sale, in an apparent bid to strengthen ties with the Turkish president ahead of the NATO summit.
The F-35 dispute has been a contentious issue between the US and Türkiye for several years, with Ankara’s participation in the Russian-backed S-400 missile defense system raising concerns about its potential use in the F-35 fighter jets. The US had initially threatened to block the sale of the jets and engines to Türkiye, citing national security concerns.
However, it seems that Trump’s diplomatic efforts have led to a change of heart, with the President announcing that he is “working very hard” to deliver the F-35 jets and engines to Türkiye. When asked whether the sale was imminent, Trump replied, “We’re talking about it. We’re talking about it very strongly. And I think we’ll get it done.”
The decision to proceed with the sale is seen as a significant development in US-Türkiye relations, coming at a time when relations between the two countries have been strained over a number of issues, including the Syrian civil war and Turkey’s human rights record.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been keen to acquire the F-35 jets, citing their advanced air defense capabilities as essential for his country’s national security. Ankara has also been pushing for the development of an indigenous Turkish fighter jet, which would be powered by the F-110 engines.
While details of the deal remain scarce, it is believed that the US will continue to maintain significant restrictions on the use of the F-35 jets and engines in order to mitigate the risks associated with Türkiye’s partnership with Russia.
If the sale is ultimately approved, it would be seen as a major boost to US-Türkiye relations, and a strategic victory for Trump ahead of the NATO summit. The move would also provide a much-needed boost to the Turkish defense industry, which has been impacted by the ongoing dispute over the F-35 sale.
The development has been met with caution by some experts, who are still wary of Ankara’s continued partnership with Russia. However, for Trump, the deal represents a key foreign policy win, underscoring his commitment to forging stronger ties with key international partners.
As tensions between the US and Russia continue to escalate, the potential sale of the F-35 jets and engines to Türkiye serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitics at play in the region. While the outcome of the deal remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the world will be watching with great interest.