Turkish Defense Ministry: Talks with US continue on delivery of six F-35s

Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry said contacts with U.S. authorities on the delivery of six F-35 fighter jets produced for Türkiye are continuing and that it expects a positive outcome, while also calling for CAATSA sanctions to be lifted.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing on Oct. 15, National Defense Ministry (MSB) spokesman Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk said contacts with U.S. authorities on the delivery of six F-35 fighter jets produced for Türkiye are continuing.

The ministry said it expects a positive outcome, but no new delivery timetable was announced.

"CAATSA incompatible with alliance"

An F-35 fighter jet (file photo)

The ministry said U.S. CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye are incompatible with the two countries’ alliance and that it expects them, along with all direct or indirect restrictions on the defense industry, to be lifted.

On C-130J transport aircraft, the ministry said training for pilots, flight crews, maintenance staff and engineers will be completed by the end of 2026, with the first two aircraft due to be delivered in December 2026.

The F-35 dispute

Türkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, and the six jets built for Türkiye have since been kept in the United States. Washington imposed CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries in 2020 for the same reason.