US Congress clears F110 engine sale to Turkey for KAAN fighter

The U.S. State Department formally notified Congress on 24 June 2026 of a proposed foreign military sale of General Electric F110‑GE‑129E/F turbofan engines for Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter program. Under U.S. law, NATO‑allied sales undergo a 15‑day congressional review. Nine Democratic representatives, led by Rep. Dina Titus, submitted a joint resolution to block the sale, but the measure was never brought before either the House or the Senate.

The review period ended on 9 July 2026 without any obstruction, allowing the sale to proceed. The agreement covers delivery of the engines, their integration, assembly, external modification, certification, testing, and related technical data and defense services. This clearance is described as a critical milestone for the KAAN project, which aims to field a fifth‑generation Turkish fighter and reduce reliance on foreign weapons systems.

Turkish officials view the acquisition of the F110 engines as essential to advancing the KAAN program, while the U.S. decision reflects the continuation of defense cooperation despite legislative attempts to intervene.