Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, walks with U.S. President Donald Trump, right, upon his arrival in Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO summit on July 7, 2026. Trump suggested on July 7, 2026, that the U.S. may once again allow Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets following a seven-year ban prompted by national security concerns. (Alex Brandon/AP)
President Donald Trump suggested this week that the U.S. may allow Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets, potentially reversing a seven-year ban that was originally imposed over national security concerns.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday, the president said the U.S. has a “better relationship” with Turkey compared to previous years and praised the nation’s loyalty.
“It’s something, certainly, we would consider,” he said of the F-35s. “It’s a great plane, it’s the best, currently the best plane by far, and it’s certainly something we will consider.”
Trump removed Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 after Ankara ignored warnings and purchased Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. The fighter jets have been used around the world since they first flew in 2006 and are now considered a cornerstone of NATO and U.S. air power.
The administration’s concern at the time was that Turkey’s possession of Russian air defense systems could put the F-35 program at risk of interference from Moscow, which was eager to gather intelligence from the stealth jet.
Language enacted in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly prohibits Turkey from purchasing the planes unless administration officials can certify that it is no longer in possession of the Russian defense systems.
“The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities,” a White House statement said at the time.
F-35B Lightning II aircraft fly over the Pacific Ocean on June 30, 2026. President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the U.S. may once again allow Turkey to purchase F-35s following a seven-year sales ban originally instated over national security concerns. (Cecilia Campbell/U.S. Marine Corps)
Since then, Ankara has lobbied for a reversal of the ban, saying that the U.S. decision was not based on any legitimate justification.
But since returning to office last year, Trump has pursued warmer relations with Erdogan, whom he frequently praises and considers a close ally. The U.S. has also pressed NATO members to increase their own defense budgets and buy American-made equipment.
Turkey, a longtime NATO member that sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, plays a critical role in protecting the continent’s southeastern flank. It also hosts several key U.S. military installations, including the Incirlik Air Base near the city of Adana.
Speaking at the summit this week, Trump said the U.S. will separately lift defense procurement sanctions meant to punish Turkey for its purchase of the S-400 systems.
While lifting sanctions alone doesn’t automatically guarantee the sale of F-35s, it does pave the way for future transfers.
But any decision to reinstate Turkey in the fighter jet program is likely to face intense scrutiny from members of Congress.
Following reports that Trump could allow Turkey back into the F-35 program, some lawmakers were quick to voice their concerns. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, responded to reports online saying, “I hope this is wrong.”
Others, including members of a delegation traveling to the NATO summit, were more optimistic.
In a call with reporters on Wednesday, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said details shared by the administration “appear to be promising,” according to Turkish media.
Rep. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said that if there’s a satisfactory agreement about what to do with the S-400, it would be beneficial to have Turkey back in the F-35 program.
“We still have questions to answer with respect to what is being proposed,” she said on the call, according to reports. “And we haven’t gotten those answers, so we’ll wait and see what happens.”
Jim Townsend, who spent eight years as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for European and NATO Policy, said Trump is likely trying to reinstate the jets as a show of goodwill to Turkey.
Townsend noted that some things have changed since the ban was enacted. For instance, F-35s have been used widely in battlefield conditions, and the S-400 systems have been shown to be less effective than expected.
There’s a chance then, Townsend said, that the U.S. may not be as uptight about the possibility of Russia picking up on the stealth fighter’s signature. But any change is likely to face hurdles in Congress, especially if Democrats gain a majority after the midterms.
“There’s some devils in the details that we’re going to have to scope out,” he said.
Some reports have suggested that Turkey could transfer the S-400s to a third-party country to satisfy American law. However, Trump on Tuesday didn’t address concerns about the missile defense system.
“I have no concerns at all about anything,” he said when asked about a transfer.
