Turkey's F‑35 Prospects Ignite Regional Security Concerns

Turkish officials are pursuing the acquisition of U.S.-made F‑35 fighter jets, a move that U.S. NATO permanent representative Matt Whitaker described as “possible” and that U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Witaker also said could be finalized if legal hurdles are cleared. The issue was a central topic at the July NATO summit in Ankara, where President Erdoğan’s cabinet discussed the F‑35 and related CAATSA sanctions.

U.S. officials, including the U.S. permanent representative to NATO and the U.S. delegate to NATO, expressed optimism that a deal could be reached, noting that delivery would be phased and subject to compliance with U.S. laws that tie the sale to the status of Turkey’s Russian S‑400 system.

Greek authorities reacted with alarm, with former Prime Minister Alexis Chipras and Greek defense officials warning that Turkey’s F‑35 purchase could destabilise regional security. Greek media quoted officials saying the development threatens Greece’s air superiority.

Israeli defense analysts also voiced concern that a Turkish F‑35 fleet could evade detection and potentially share stealth‑tracking capabilities with regional actors such as Syria or Iran, undermining Israel’s defensive posture.

Turkish Deputy President Cevdet Yılmaz reiterated that the process would be monitored closely and stressed that Turkey sees the F‑35 as a strategic asset. Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Matt Whitaker highlighted congressional worries about technology leakage to Russia if Turkey retains both the F‑35 and S‑400 systems.