Turkey seeks US clearance for F‑35 and KAAN jet engines as Trump hints at gifts at NATO summit

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would make Turkish President R. Erdogan “very happy” during his visit to the NATO summit in Ankara, suggesting a possible “gift” that could include F‑35 aircraft or related defense equipment. Turkish analyst Murat Getkin highlighted that the most consequential development would be the removal of the U.S. ban on supplying General‑Electric F110 engines for Turkey’s indigenous fifth‑generation fighter program, the KAAN.

The Turkish government has said the F110 engines are needed for the KAAN’s production, and U.S. congressional restrictions that have delayed the deliveries may be lifted. Getkin noted that Turkey’s recent diplomatic stance during the Israel‑Iran crisis and its role within NATO have increased the strategic importance of the deal, while NATO’s own support through systems such as Patriot and SAMP/T remains vital to Turkish air defence.

If approved, the engine supply would clear a major hurdle for Turkey’s fighter development and could pave the way for future cooperation on F‑35 technology, marking a significant shift in U.S.–Turkey defense relations.