Turkish American groups urge US Congress to OK F-35 sale to Türkiye

A coalition of seven prominent Turkish American civil society organizations has formally petitioned the United States Congress, urging lawmakers to greenlight the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye and to repeal the Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) penalties currently imposed on Ankara. In a joint letter addressed to more than 50 members of Congress, the groups underscored Türkiye’s longstanding status as a NATO ally for nearly 75 years and its frontline role in safeguarding regional stability. The signatories argued that facilitating the F-35 transaction aligns directly with core American strategic interests while reinforcing collective defense commitments across the Atlantic alliance.

Sanctions removal seen as boost to NATO cohesion

The letter, signed by influential bodies including the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, the Turkish American Coalition, and MUSIAD USA, stressed that the removal of unnecessary trade barriers would represent an investment in NATO unity and the broader bilateral relationship. The groups noted that Türkiye controls the strategic Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, anchoring the southeastern flank of the alliance. They also highlighted the critical function of Incirlik Air Base in counterterrorism operations, specifically praising Turkish contributions to the defeat of Daesh (ISIS), and recalled that Turkish soldiers fought alongside US forces during the Korean War—a testament to the depth of their military partnership.

Geopolitical arguments for restoring defense ties

Beyond historical alliances, the organizations pointed to Türkiye's growing defense industrial capacity and Europe’s ongoing rearmament as compelling reasons to keep Ankara integrated with US and NATO-compatible suppliers. They warned that excluding Türkiye from the F-35 program could push the country toward alternative procurement options, potentially fragmenting Western defense supply chains. The letter also highlighted Türkiye's constructive diplomatic engagements, including its mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, peace initiatives concerning the PKK, stabilization contributions in Syria, and recent rapprochement with Armenia—all of which position Ankara as an indispensable regional actor deserving of enhanced security cooperation.

Trump signals openness after NATO summit meeting

The push for F-35 access follows a significant development last month during US President Donald Trump's visit to Türkiye on the margins of the NATO summit. In a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Trump stated that he would "certainly" consider approving the fighter jet sales and expressed a desire to lift the CAATSA restrictions. The US had suspended Türkiye from the F-35 program in 2019 over Ankara's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system, citing interoperability concerns—a position that Türkiye has consistently contested, proposing a technical commission to resolve the dispute. With the renewed congressional appeal and presidential willingness, the long-standing defense impasse may now be poised for a potential breakthrough.