The US administration is moving forward with a $700 million defense equipment sale to NATO ally Turkey, despite objections from Congress. The bulk of the package consists of fighter jet engines.
Senior Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, told Fox News Digital that the State Department bypassed Congress for the sale and did not provide any written justification.
Meeks said, "In this case, the State Department did not even attempt to justify its decision. It neither invoked an emergency authority nor made a good faith effort to inform me about the impact of the sale on US-Turkey relations, Turkey's continued possession of Russian S-400 systems, and other regional security concerns."
S-400 shadow persists
Turkey signed an agreement with Russia for the S-400 air defense system in 2017 and took delivery in 2019. The US and NATO view this purchase as an intelligence threat that weakens alliance cohesion and readiness.
The US imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2019 over the S-400s and removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program. Congress also passed a law banning Turkey's participation in the F-35 program as long as it retains the S-400s.
A State Department spokesperson, however, rejected concerns in an assessment to Fox News Digital, saying, "The President has made it clear: Turkey is a strong member of NATO. Turkey makes significant contributions to alliance operations and missions."
Strategic gain for Erdogan
The sale is seen as a significant boost for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is preparing to host the 2026 NATO summit. Gönül Tol, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told Fox News Digital, "The US engine sale is critical for Turkey's most important defense project, the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet. Turkey is developing its own engine, but it will take years to be ready. Without US-made GE engines, it will be difficult for the KAAN to move from prototype to mass production."
Tol noted that the deal is more than just a defense sale for Erdogan; it is a cornerstone of foreign policy and a source of legitimacy in domestic politics. She added that if the aircraft is successful, it will boost Turkey's defense exports and reinforce NATO's strategic importance.
Opposition from Greek-American Republican lawmakers
Meanwhile, four Republican lawmakers close to President Trump issued a joint statement opposing the sale. Jimmy Patronis, Gus Bilirakis, Mike Haridopolos, and Nicole Malliotakis argued that Turkey is a destabilizing force in the region due to its maritime jurisdiction claims, its stance on Cyprus, and its rhetoric toward Israel.
The statement read, "The Eastern Mediterranean region has significant potential for commercial opportunity, energy cooperation, and regional security. However, Turkey's rhetoric and actions increasingly threaten these efforts, key American allies, and regional stability." The lawmakers also cited Turkey's hosting of Hamas and being the only NATO member to refuse to enforce sanctions on Russia as concerning.
A Turkish government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.
