US Lawmakers Signal Bipartisan Support for Reintegrating Türkiye into F-35 Program

A bipartisan coalition of U.S. lawmakers has signaled a willingness to reintegrate Türkiye into the F-35 fighter jet program, following indications from the Trump administration that sanctions against Ankara could be lifted.

Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, senior Democratic and Republican figures expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential resolution of the long-standing impasse.

The dispute stems from Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, which triggered its expulsion from the advanced aircraft consortium.

The congressional openness follows President Donald Trump's announcement that he intends to roll back restrictions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

A New York Times report further suggested the White House is actively exploring the resumption of F-35 deliveries.

Security Guarantees

Lawmakers stressed that any progress hinges on mitigating the intelligence vulnerabilities posed by the Russian hardware.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the original legislation barring Türkiye from the program, outlined the prevailing consensus.

Shaheen stated that formulating an acceptable strategy to neutralize the S-400 threat would yield positive outcomes for both Washington and Ankara.

However, she emphasized that legislators have yet to receive specific policy proposals or draft language for the National Defense Authorization Act.

“We still have to wait for details,” Shaheen told reporters on Wednesday. She reiterated that preventing Russian access to F-35 technology remains the central prerequisite for advancing any agreement.

Strategic Imperatives

Other members of the delegation framed the potential jet transfer in terms of broader European security calculations.

Republican Senator Mike Rounds characterized the F-35 as a critical tool for bolstering Türkiye against potential Russian incursions, citing the country's status as a major NATO contributor.

Senator Lindsey Graham echoed this sentiment, describing Türkiye as a vital partner and the alliance's sole Muslim member state.

Speaking to Türkiye Today, he acknowledged that finalizing a deal would likely encounter friction on Capitol Hill, noting that Ankara's diplomatic posture toward Israel presents legislative hurdles.

Despite the anticipated resistance, Graham maintained that a viable compromise is attainable.

Diplomatic Trajectory

Representative Mike Turner confirmed that preliminary briefings on the S-400 and F-35 negotiations have yielded encouraging signs.

“All the details that are shared with us, the details do appear to be promising,” Turner remarked during a press call.

The bipartisan delegation in Ankara also included Democratic Senators Chris Coons and Dick Durbin.