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Erdogan Confident Turkey Will Regain US F-35 Jets; India Must Watch Closely
M
Moneycontrol•24-09-2026, 21:17
Erdogan Confident Turkey Will Regain US F-35 Jets; India Must Watch Closely
- •Turkish President Erdogan expressed confidence that Ankara could regain access to the US F-35 fighter jet program, despite its removal after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system.
- •Erdogan stated that US President Donald Trump indicated a positive willingness for Turkey's return, expecting concrete steps from Washington.
- •The F-35 is the US's most advanced stealth fighter, and Turkey was an original participant before the S-400 dispute derailed its involvement.
- •India should closely monitor Turkey's F-35 push due to Ankara's deepening defense ties with Pakistan, including military support during the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict and its repeated stance on Kashmir at the UN General Assembly.
- •The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, providing a collective defense framework, adds another layer of complexity for New Delhi, as advanced US-origin air power could enter a strategic network involving these nations.
Key Questions Answered
Turkey was removed from the F-35 fighter jet programme after purchasing Russia's S-400 air defence system.
The US has stated that Turkey must completely remove the S-400 system and its associated equipment, provide assurances it will not buy them again, and satisfy all legal conditions.
India is closely watching because Turkey has deepened military and strategic ties with Pakistan, supported Islamabad during the May 2025 conflict, and formed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
