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Turkey appears poised to re-enter the multi-billion-dollar F-35 fighter jet programme after US President Joe Biden signaled a potential lift on the long-standing ban imposed in 2019. The development follows a series of comments made by former US President Donald Trump, who indicated a possible reconsideration of the sales ban at the NATO summit in 2022.
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Ankara is set to receive the first six F-35A stealth fighter jets, which were originally manufactured for Turkey before its participation in the programme was suspended. The move would mark a significant shift in US policy, as the country had previously insisted that Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defence system posed a significant risk to the F-35 programme’s security.
The proposed transfer of the F-35 jets would require presidential approval from President Biden, as Trump is no longer in office. While the White House has not commented on the matter, the reported move suggests that US policy makers are reassessing the ban implemented by the Trump administration.
Any deal, however, would encounter significant hurdles, including US legal constraints and Congressional opposition. Turkey’s relations with the US have been strained in recent years due to disagreements over various issues, including Ankara’s foreign policy in the Middle East and its purchase of Russian defence systems.
Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 programme in 2019 resulted in significant financial losses for the country, as it had paid billions of dollars for the aircraft. Rejoining the programme could potentially salvage much of that investment. Additionally, Turkey’s return to the programme could ease tensions between Ankara and Washington, particularly in the wake of disagreements over Russia’s S-400 defence system.
While a potential return to the F-35 programme would be a significant development for Turkey’s military capabilities, it remains to be seen whether the US Congress will ultimately approve the sale. The move also raises questions about the long-term implications for US-Turkey relations and the balance of power in the region.