United States approves $700 million jet engine sale to Turkey ahead of NATO summit

The Trump administration has formally notified the U.S. Congress of its intent to sell dozens of General Electric F110 jet engines, valued at more than $700 million, to Turkey for its fifth‑generation KAAN fighter program. The notification, issued on June 24, comes just days before the NATO summit scheduled for July 7‑8 in Ankara and signals a pragmatic thaw in U.S.–Turkey defense relations despite existing CAATSA sanctions linked to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S‑400 system.

A defense analyst quoted in a Brussels‑based report said the move “demonstrates that both sides are looking for practical ways to strengthen defense cooperation ahead of important NATO discussions.” The sale is intended to support early‑stage KAAN aircraft, which currently rely on the U.S.‑made F110 engines, while Turkey continues development of its indigenous TF35000 afterburning turbofan. The broader dialogue includes potential additional defense export agreements aimed at enhancing interoperability among NATO allies.

The agreement arrives amid ongoing tensions over Turkey’s exclusion from the F‑35 program and congressional restrictions, but U.S. officials appear willing to prioritize alliance stability and upcoming summit diplomacy.