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.
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 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
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. 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:
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.
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.
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. 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.
Turkey and U.S. Eye F-35 Return Within Months Amid Renewed Talks
The Path to a Diplomatic Breakthrough
Resolving the S-400 Impasse
“Creative Resolutions” Under Consideration
Industrial and Financial Implications
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin