US EditionTrump Administration Reaffirms Opposition to Turkey Rejoining F-35 Program
The US State Department reaffirmed that Turkey's continued possession of the Russian S-400 missile system blocks its participation in the F-35 program under US law.
- On August 20, 2025, the U.S. government reaffirmed that Turkey remains excluded from the F-35 program due to its continued use of the Russian-made S-400 missile system.
- This follows Turkey’s 2017 purchase of the S-400 despite repeated US warnings, which led to its 2019 expulsion from the multibillion-dollar F-35 fighter jet program.
- The Trump administration enforced legal restrictions established in the 2020 defense legislation that prevent the transfer of F-35 technology to Turkey unless the country removes the Russian S-400 missile system and commits to not acquiring similar equipment going forward.
- Senior Bureau Official Paul Guaglianone affirmed that Washington’s stance has stayed the same, emphasizing that Turkey’s ongoing ownership of the S-400 system does not comply with U.S. legal provisions and defense standards.
- The US continues to seek cooperation and dialogue with Turkey as a longstanding NATO ally but maintains that lifting sanctions or readmitting Turkey risks exposing sensitive military technology to Russia.
12 Articles
12 Articles
US denies talk of agreement on Turkey’s S-400 purchase - Nordic Monitor
A recent letter from a senior US State Department official has confirmed that Washington has not changed its position on Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, contradicting earlier statements made by Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler suggesting that the issue had been resolved. The letter, sent by Paul D. Guaglianone, senior bureau official at the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, to Congressman Chris Pappas on August…
Trump administration reaffirms opposition to Turkey rejoining F-35 program
Despite the strained relationship, the letter emphasized that Turkey remains a longstanding NATO ally. By Corey Walker, The Algemeiner The Trump administration has reaffirmed its opposition to Turkey’s rejoining the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, citing Ankara’s possession of Russian S-400 missile defense systems. In a letter sent on Wednesday to US Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), a senior State Department official reiterated that Washington remai…
The Algemeiner
ussanews.comTrump Administration Reaffirms Opposition to Turkey Rejoining F-35 Program
A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt The Trump administration has reaffirmed its opposition to Turkey’s rejoining the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, citing Ankara’s possession of Russian S-400 missile defense systems. In a letter sent on Wednesday to US Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), a senior State Department official reiterated that Washington remains committed to en…
US State Department Reaffirms Turkey Cannot Get F-35s While Holding Russian Missiles
F-35 Fighter. Credit: Wikimedia Commons US Air Force Public Domain In a statement dated August 20, the US State Department’s Office of Legal Affairs reiterated Washington’s commitment to upholding US law, including the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), while also emphasizing the conditions surrounding Turkey’s acquisition of F-35 fighter jets. The statement was issued in response to a letter sent to Secretary of St…
US reaffirms Turkey cannot rejoin F-35 program without giving up S-400s - Turkish Minute
The US Department of State has reaffirmed that Turkey cannot rejoin the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program unless it abandons its Russian-made S-400 air defense system, in a formal response to lawmakers urging continued sanctions on Ankara.
US statement on Türkiye's F-35 purchase: We expressed our dissatisfaction with the S-400s; our defense relations are vital for the US and NATO
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