In a significant move, Turkiye has paused its efforts to buy the American-made F-16 fighter jets, redirecting its focus to its bid to rejoin the United States’ F-35 programme. The decision comes after a long-standing issue that began in 2019 when the US removed Turkiye from the joint production and purchase of the advanced F-35 fighter jets due to Turkiye’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.
Turkiye Changes Direction in Fighter Jet Plans
This complex situation has been a source of tension between the two countries for several years, and now Turkiye is hoping to resolve it by refocusing its attention on acquiring the F-35 jets, considered among the most advanced in the world.
Turkiye was initially part of the F-35 programme, helping to produce critical components for the fighter jets. However, the US deemed Turkiye’s purchase of the S-400 missile system a threat to NATO’s security, as the Russian system could potentially gather intelligence on the F-35’s advanced technologies.
As a result, in 2019, Turkiye was excluded from the programme, causing significant frustration in Ankara. Since then, the Turkish government has worked hard to try and find a way back into the programme.
After a series of diplomatic efforts, the country has shifted its focus. Instead of pushing forward with the F-16 deal, which had been progressing for some time, it has decided to slow down the process. Sources close to the situation have described the decision as putting “the brakes on the F-16 deal,” signaling a new priority: getting readmitted to the F-35 programme.
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$1.4 Billion Payment May Be Redirected
One of the key aspects of this new strategy involves the $1.4 billion already paid as a down payment for the F-16 jets. Initially, this significant amount was placed in anticipation of receiving the F-16 fighter jets, which are also manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the same company responsible for producing the F-35. Now, with the decision to prioritize the F-35s, sources say this down payment could be redirected toward the F-35 programme if the US agrees to readmit the country.
This shift in funds seems feasible because both the F-16 and F-35 are made by the same manufacturer. Lockheed Martin could potentially apply the money already paid for the F-16s to the F-35 programme, should the US grant approval. This option could speed up the process for Turkiye to acquire the F-35s rather than having to wait years for the delivery of the F-16 jets.
Sources close to the matter have pointed out that the F-16s are in high demand, and there is a long production queue. If Turkiye had chosen to proceed with the F-16 deal, it could have faced delays of many years before receiving the first jets. Given this long wait time, shifting the focus to the F-35s makes more sense, as Turkiye could potentially access these advanced jets faster, especially if the US agrees to re-admit the country into the programme.
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Ankara Makes New Offers to the US
To strengthen its position, Turkiye has been negotiating with the United States to rejoin the F-35 programme. As part of this, Turkiye has offered to purchase $20 billion worth of US military products, including ammunition, electronics, and aircraft parts. This offer reflects Turkiye’s desire to deepen defense ties with the US in exchange for rejoining the F-35 programme.
Additionally, Turkiye has signaled a potential reduction in its use of the Russian S-400 missile system, which has been a major issue with the US. The S-400 system has raised concerns that it could interfere with NATO’s defense and track the F-35 jets. This shift could help persuade the US to reconsider its stance on Turkiye’s participation in the F-35 programme.
However, the US has not yet made a decision, and discussions continue. The decision to pause the F-16 purchase and focus on the F-35 shows how much the country values being part of the programme.
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The F-35 is not only a key military asset but also a way to repair the relationship with the US. Whether this strategy succeeds is still uncertain, but the shift in focus is a significant step forward.