Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned on Thursday that prospects for Turkey acquiring advanced F-35 fighter jets from the United States improved following his meeting with President Donald Trump at the NATO summit this week.
“We talked about the F-35 issue. We’ve invested around $1.3 to $1.4 billion in the jets,” he stated during a press conference at the summit in The Hague.
He expressed enthusiasm, saying, “Together with my friend Trump, we’re initiating a new phase in Turkish-American relations.” During the summit, Erdogan pointed out that NATO hopes Turkey will increase its contributions, and he noted that Turkey is prepared to enhance its role if its perspective is respected.
“Numerous allies collaborate with us to take on greater responsibilities in light of various threats. Yet, boosting the alliance’s effectiveness requires more than just increased defense spending; it demands deeper mutual understanding and genuine cooperation,” he remarked.
Erdogan underscored that the F-35 would serve as a significant indicator of NATO’s unity, clarifying that his government remains determined to secure the jets.
“We have not abandoned our pursuit of the F-35. Discussions with our counterparts about rejoining the program are underway,” he mentioned while engaging with reporters on his return trip.
He also noted that he had a conversation with Trump about this during the summit and they initiated technical discussions.
Erdogan’s meeting with Trump, which marked their first since Trump assumed office in 2025, was aimed at rejuvenating Türkiye-U.S. relations.
After the meeting, Erdogan’s office highlighted that both nations hold significant potential in various areas, especially energy and investment. They emphasized that strengthening defense cooperation could help achieve a trade volume target of $100 billion.
Additionally, Erdogan expressed appreciation for the ceasefire brokered through Trump’s efforts between Israel and Iran, and he wished for its permanence. He urged Trump to leverage his influence to resolve the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
On Thursday, Erdogan expressed hope for a potential meeting involving Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that Trump appeared open to the idea during their discussions at the NATO summit.
Turkey has long been a sometimes exasperating, but occasionally crucial member of NATO. Erdogan, after two decades in power, aims to establish an Islamic leadership style and assert his influence in the Middle East, often reversing the secular foundation built by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk a century ago.
At the same time, Turkey seeks closer economic and strategic ties with Europe, with efforts to join the European Union beginning in 1999. However, progress has stalled since 2019, largely due to Erdogan’s authoritarian approach and his criticisms of European leaders.
Erdogan frequently utilizes Turkey’s NATO membership as a bargaining chip, at times threatening to withdraw from the alliance or to undermine its interests. His decision to purchase the Russian S-400 missile system in 2019 led to Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program, as the U.S. deemed the two incompatible.
The U.S. Department of Defense warned Turkey against the missile purchase, but Erdogan proceeded, resulting in sanctions imposed in December 2020, causing further strain in U.S.-Turkey relations.
Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, Trump has consistently emphasized his personal rapport with Erdogan, stating their mutual respect. He has praised Erdogan’s strategic maneuvers in Syria, particularly against Kurdish militias viewed as security threats.
Erdogan quickly pressured Western nations to lift sanctions imposed on Assad’s regime, which had permitted Syria to accelerate its internal situation. In May, Trump met with Syria’s newly appointed leader, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, signaling support for an alternative leadership approach.
Resolving U.S.-Turkey relations seemed straightforward, yet the F-35 issue remains a crucial point. Turkey aspires to either rejoin the program or receive a full refund for its previous investments.
Given the F-35’s significant roles in operations, particularly against Iran, Turkey is likely seeking an aircraft rather than a refund. The F-35 may not be without its critiques, but it has proven its effectiveness in military engagements.
During the NATO summit, Trump praised the F-35 and other fighter jets for their advanced capabilities, recalling a mission involving several aircraft that successfully navigated Iranian airspace.
However, the F-35 program has exceeded its budget, causing Trump to be reluctant to issue a refund to Erdogan, despite Turkey contributing around $1.4 billion to the initiative, contributing to losses from being barred from production.
Ultimately, if a plane capable of striking fear in Iran’s military capabilities remains grounded, Turkey’s military leaders can sleep a bit easier at night, especially knowing that the Russian S-400s pose little threat to modern American or Israeli aircraft.
