Defense & Military
Turkey and U.S. Resume Talks on F-35 Program Return in 2025
Diplomatic talks between Turkey and the U.S. target Turkey’s reintegration into the F-35 program amid S-400 compliance and defense industry considerations.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and public remarks by U.S. officials.
Turkey and U.S. Eye F-35 Return Within Months Amid Renewed Talks
Diplomatic channels between Washington and Ankara have reopened with significant momentum, as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed on December 10, 2025, that discussions regarding Turkey’s return to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program are officially underway. According to reporting by Reuters, the envoy expressed optimism that a resolution to the years-long impasse could be reached within the next four to six months.
The potential reintegration of Turkey into the fifth-generation fighter program marks a pivotal shift in U.S.-Turkey defense relations. Turkey was expelled from the consortium in 2019 following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, a move that triggered U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). However, a renewed atmosphere of cooperation, reportedly driven by the relationship between President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, appears to be accelerating a solution.
While significant legal and technical hurdles remain, the timeline suggested by Ambassador Barrack indicates that negotiators are moving past the initial stalemate toward actionable compromises.
The Path to a Diplomatic Breakthrough
The confirmation of these talks comes directly from Ambassador Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. In statements cited by Reuters and shared on social media, Barrack highlighted the “positive relationship” between the two nations’ leadership as a catalyst for the current progress. The discussions are not merely exploratory; they are focused on specific mechanisms to satisfy U.S. security requirements while allowing Turkey to modernize its air force.
According to the provided reports, the timeline for a potential deal is aggressive. Barrack indicated that a “breakthrough” regarding the S-400 issue, the primary obstacle to F-35 reintegration, could occur within months. This aligns with comments from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who recently expressed belief that sanctions could be lifted “very soon.”
“Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Türkiye.”
U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack, via Reuters
Resolving the S-400 Impasse
The core friction point remains the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. The United States has long maintained that the S-400’s advanced radar systems could compromise the stealth capabilities of the F-35 if the two platforms were operated in proximity. Consequently, U.S. law strictly prohibits Turkey from returning to the program while it possesses the Russian hardware.
“Creative Resolutions” Under Consideration
While the U.S. stance on “non-possession” remains legally binding, reporting from outlets such as Al-Monitor and Bloomberg suggests that diplomats are exploring “creative resolutions” to satisfy CAATSA requirements without forcing Ankara into a humiliating public reversal.
Negotiations reportedly focus on verification mechanisms that would render the S-400s permanently non-operational. Potential strategies discussed in defense circles include:
- Mothballing: Keeping the systems in deep storage under strict verification protocols.
- Transfer of Custody: Moving the batteries to a U.S.-controlled facility, such as Incirlik Air Base, where they would remain under “non-operational” status to satisfy the legal definition of non-possession.
Ambassador Barrack reiterated the necessity of compliance, stating that Turkey must no longer operate or possess the system to rejoin the program. However, the willingness to discuss these terms signals a departure from the previous “all-or-nothing” diplomatic stance.
Industrial and Financial Implications
Turkey’s potential return to the F-35 program involves substantial financial and industrial stakes. Prior to its expulsion, Turkey was a Level 3 partner in the Joint Strike Fighter consortium, with plans to purchase 100 F-35A jets. The country had already invested approximately $1.4 billion into the program, funds that were effectively frozen when deliveries were halted.
According to analysis by Defense Security Asia, these “sunk costs” are a key bargaining chip. Ankara is seeking either the delivery of the jets or a credit toward future defense purchases. Furthermore, the industrial supply chain may be easier to restart than previously thought.
p>Reports indicate that Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has retained specialized F-35 production equipment, including Special Tooling and Test Equipment, at its facilities in Ankara. Before 2019, Turkish manufacturers produced over 900 distinct parts for the aircraft, ranging from center fuselages to landing gear components. While the U.S. Joint Program Office moved to shift this supply chain to U.S. contractors like Northrop Grumman, the physical capacity for Turkish production reportedly remains largely intact.
AirPro News Analysis
The Geopolitical Necessity of Reintegration
We view this development as a strategic correction driven by the shifting security architecture of NATO’s southern flank. While the S-400 dispute was technically centered on radar interoperability, the geopolitical reality of 2025 demands a modernized Turkish military.
With the ongoing war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, the U.S. likely views a capability gap in the Turkish Air Force as a liability for the alliance. Furthermore, Ankara is acutely aware of the shifting regional balance. With Greece moving forward with its own F-35 acquisition and Israel already operating the advanced “Adir” variant, Turkey faces the prospect of losing air superiority in its immediate neighborhood. This pressure creates a powerful incentive for Erdoğan to accept a compromise on the S-400s that he might have previously rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
When could Turkey receive F-35 jets?
While talks are progressing, no delivery date is set. Ambassador Barrack suggested a diplomatic resolution could be reached in 4 to 6 months. Actual delivery of aircraft would likely take significantly longer due to production backlogs.
What happens to the S-400 system?
To comply with U.S. law (CAATSA), Turkey must not “possess or operate” the system. Negotiators are discussing placing the system in non-operational status, potentially under U.S. or international monitoring.
How much money has Turkey already spent on the F-35?
Turkey invested approximately $1.4 billion for jets that were never delivered. The current negotiations likely include discussions on how to credit or utilize these funds.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
Pratt Whitney Completes 3D-Printed TJ150 Turbojet Demo Test
Pratt & Whitney validates additive manufacturing for the TJ150, consolidating 50+ hot section parts into 3D-printed components.
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed demonstration testing of an additively manufactured TJ150 turbojet engine, a process that consolidated more than 50 individual hot section components into a small number of 3D-printed parts.
The RTX Corporation subsidiary announced the milestone on July 20, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in London. The test results validate the manufacturer’s strategy to use additive manufacturing to simplify design and accelerate production for expendable military propulsion systems.
Consolidating hot section components
According to the press release, nearly 60 percent of the TJ150 engine’s volume was produced using additive manufacturing. This volume includes major static and rotating hardware. By utilizing 3D printing technologies, engineers reduced the complexity of the engine’s hot section and replaced over 50 traditional parts with a handful of consolidated components.
The TJ150 is a 150-pound thrust class turbojet designed for single-use applications.
“For expendable engines like the TJ150, where missions can last minutes or hours, simplifying the design and scaling production quickly is essential to meeting rising demand,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Integration with cruise missiles and decoys
The successful demonstration of the 3D-printed TJ150 follows recent contract awards and integration announcements for the engine platform. On March 10, 2026, Pratt & Whitney secured a follow-on contract from Leidos Dynetics to supply TJ150 engines for the AGM-190A small cruise missile.
In a separate announcement on July 15, 2026, Raytheon confirmed plans to prioritize the TJ150 engine for the initial production of the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD). Raytheon noted that utilizing the existing engine platform keeps restart timelines short while the company explores additively manufactured engines for longer-term opportunities.
Expanding additive manufacturing applications
Pratt & Whitney plans to apply the manufacturing techniques validated during the TJ150 demonstration to other propulsion programs. Albertelli stated that additive manufacturing helps the company move designs from concept to capability faster. She confirmed that the manufacturer is leveraging the TJ150 learnings to benefit other systems, including the Pratt & Whitney Valox engine family.
AirPro News analysis
The successful test of a heavily 3D-printed TJ150 highlights a critical shift in defense aerospace manufacturing. As military operators demand higher volumes of autonomous systems, decoys, and tactical missiles, traditional supply chains for small turbine engines face significant bottlenecks. Casting and machining conventional hot-section components requires extensive tooling and long lead times. By consolidating dozens of parts into a few additively manufactured pieces, we see manufacturers directly addressing the need for rapid scalability.
Expendable engines operate for very short durations, meaning they do not require the same long-term durability as commercial or manned military turbofans. This specific operational profile makes them ideal candidates for additive manufacturing, allowing producers to prioritize production speed and cost reduction over thousands of hours of time-on-wing reliability.
Photo Credit: RTX
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Magellan Sign F414 MRO MOU for Canada
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace signed an MOU at Farnborough to establish a Canadian F414 engine MRO center if Canada selects the Gripen E.
GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 22, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow to establish a Canadian MRO center for the F414-GE-39E engine. The agreement is entirely contingent on the Government of Canada selecting the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E for its future fighter fleet.
Announced in a GE Aerospace press release, the proposed MRO work would take place at Magellan’s facility in Mississauga, Ontario. The partnership aims to position Magellan as Canada’s domestic center of excellence for F414 engine sustainment, guaranteeing sovereign support capabilities for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) if the Gripen E is acquired.
Industrial offsets and the Gripen E campaign
The MOU represents a calculated component of a broader industrial offset campaign by Saab AB and its suppliers to secure a portion of Canada’s fighter procurement contract. The Canadian government is currently reviewing its fighter jet strategy. While Ottawa previously committed to purchasing a fleet of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Military-Aircraft, the government is evaluating a potential mixed fleet that could include domestically built Gripen E fighters.
To strengthen the Gripen’s bid, Saab has been securing agreements with Canadian aerospace firms to promise domestic job creation and technology transfer. This engine sustainment agreement follows a similar MOU signed on July 17, 2026, between Saab and Canadian aviation training firm CAE Inc. to cooperate on advanced fighter pilot Training.
Engine sustainment and domestic capabilities
The F414 engine family has accumulated more than 5 million flight hours globally. The new agreement builds on a 60-year working relationship between GE Aerospace and Magellan Aerospace Corporation.
Paul Ferraro, Vice President of Defense Engines & Services at GE Aerospace, stated that the agreement spans both military and commercial engines and will ensure the RCAF has in-country access to sustainment services to maintain F414 readiness.
Haydn Martin, Vice President of Business Development, Marketing, and Contracts at Magellan Aerospace Corporation, emphasized the operational benefits of the proposed partnership.
“Should the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E aircraft be selected, Magellan Aerospace will be ready to provide world-class engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services that enhance operational readiness for the Royal Canadian Air Force while maintaining highly skilled Canadian jobs, developing advanced technical expertise, and strengthening Canada’s long-term defence industrial capacity,” Martin said.
AirPro News analysis
We view this MOU as a clear signal that the competition for Canada’s fighter fleet remains highly active despite the initial F-35A selection. By lining up domestic heavyweights like Magellan and CAE, Saab is directly addressing Ottawa’s stringent Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy requirements. If the Government of Canada opts for a mixed fleet, establishing sovereign MRO capabilities for the F414 engine will be a critical factor in mitigating supply chain risks and ensuring RCAF operational independence. Until a formal procurement decision is finalized, these agreements remain strategic positioning rather than guaranteed Contracts.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Defense & Military
CBP AMO Orders 10 Airbus H125 Helicopters for Fleet Expansion
CBP Air and Marine Operations contracts for 10 Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a 30-year fleet of over 100 rotary-wing aircraft.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) has finalized a contract to acquire 10 additional Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a fleet modernization effort that relies heavily on the single-engine platform for border security and law enforcement missions.
In a press release issued on July 7, 2026, Airbus confirmed the agreement, which reinforces a three-decade relationship between the federal agency and the aerospace manufacturer. The new helicopters will be assembled at the Airbus Helicopters production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
Expanding the airborne law enforcement fleet
The latest acquisition builds upon a previous order placed in August 2020, when CBP AMO contracted for 16 H125 helicopters to upgrade its aging rotary-wing assets. The agency currently operates a total fleet of more than 240 aircraft, which includes over 100 helicopters from the Airbus H120 and H125 families delivered over the past 30 years.
The H125, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350, is utilized by CBP AMO for a variety of demanding flight profiles, including border surveillance, suspect pursuit, and general public safety operations across the United States.
Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America Region for Airbus Helicopters, stated that the expansion “underscores the long-standing collaboration” between the manufacturer and the federal agency. He added that the selection highlights the trust placed in the H125 to execute critical public safety missions under demanding conditions, with Airbus committing to provide comprehensive services to maintain mission readiness.
Virtual reality integration for pilot training
As CBP AMO increases its H125 inventory, the agency is simultaneously overhauling how it trains the personnel who fly them. In November 2025, CBP became the first federal law enforcement agency and the first branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to integrate virtual reality into its aerial training program.
According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, the agency awarded a contract to adopt an FAA-qualified Airbus H125 virtual reality flight simulator developed by Loft Dynamics. The simulator is being installed at the CBP AMO training center in Oklahoma City, where it will be used to train the agency’s roster of more than 600 pilots.
AirPro News analysis
We view CBP AMO’s continued investment in the H125 platform as a clear indicator of the agency’s preference for fleet commonality. Operating a standardized fleet of over 100 H125-family helicopters significantly reduces maintenance overhead, streamlines supply chains, and simplifies pilot transition training. Furthermore, Airbus’s strategy of assembling these aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, likely plays a crucial role in navigating federal procurement requirements, ensuring that the European manufacturer remains highly competitive for U.S. government contracts. The parallel investment in Loft Dynamics’ VR simulators suggests the agency is preparing for a sustained, long-term operational lifespan for the H125 fleet.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries1 day agoPhilippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries1 day agoAerCap Orders 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at Farnborough 2026
-
Commercial Aviation1 day agoIndiGo Signs Record 1000 LEAP-1A Engine MoU with CFM
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries24 hours agoRiyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries1 day agoSMBC Aviation Capital Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX at Farnborough