White House Notifies Congress of $700 million F110 Jet Engine Sale to Türkiye

The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of its intention to proceed with a sale of General Electric F110 jet engines to Türkiye valued at more than $700 million.

The State Department notification, dated June 24, signals a definitive push to supply power plants for Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN combat jet program.

The move proceeds despite entrenched opposition from U.S. lawmakers over Ankara’s possession of Russian defense systems.

Strategic Gesture Ahead of NATO Summit

The export license approval serves as a diplomatic gesture ahead of a pivotal NATO summit in Ankara next month.

President Donald Trump views Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as a key regional ally.

“I'm going to probably do something that will make them very happy,” Trump stated on Wednesday when asked about the jet engines, the F-35 program, and his plans for the summit.

The State Department justified the authorization on strategic grounds. The formal notification cited political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations as the basis for the export license.

Congressional Pushback

Lawmakers maintain a 15-day window to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval to block the transaction. The resolution would require passage in both congressional chambers and remains subject to a presidential veto.

Democratic opposition remains pronounced. Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, withheld his approval during the informal review process.

Meeks accused the administration of failing to engage in a good-faith effort to detail the strategic implications of the sale.

He specifically highlighted unresolved concerns regarding Türkiye's 2019 acquisition of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft systems.

“These items will not be delivered for years, and the administration repeatedly ignored persistent requests for information and clarification on key aspects of U.S. policy,” Meeks said on Wednesday.

The KAAN Fighter Program

The F110 engines will power the KAAN fighter, a major project launched in 2016 to increase Turkish defense self-sufficiency.

Ankara initiated the program following repeated friction with Western suppliers and periodic arms embargoes.

Turkish officials recognize that the KAAN platform will require years of development before it can replace the American-made F-16s that currently form the backbone of their air force.

The S-400 Standoff

Türkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 systems fundamentally altered its defense relationship with Washington.

The acquisition triggered U.S. sanctions and resulted in Türkiye’s expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet program.

Current U.S. law strictly prohibits F-35 sales to Türkiye while the Russian systems remain in its possession. Lawmakers argue the S-400 radar poses an intelligence risk to American combat aircraft.

“We cannot reward Erdogan's government while it continues to violate U.S. law and threaten our reliable, democratic allies,” Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire stated on social media. “Absolutely no F-35s to Türkiye.”