Trump admin reaffirms F-35 ban on Turkey after letter from 40 Democrats
The State Department's reassurance followed renewed pressure from lawmakers from both parties opposed to Turkey accessing F-35 technology while retaining the Russian S-400.
WASHINGTON – The US State Department reaffirmed its stance opposing NATO ally Turkey's bid to acquire Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet in a letter to congressional lawmakers on Wednesday.
"The United States has been clear with the Turkish government about our laws and policies regarding the acquisition of Russian defense equipment and the implications for acquisition of F-35 aircraft for Turkey," read the letter, signed by senior legislative official Paul D. Guaglianone.
The dispute centers on Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, which Washington says could compromise NATO air defenses and expose sensitive F-35 technology to Moscow.
"The Trump administration is fully committed to protecting US defense and intelligence assets and complying with US law, including CAATSA. The US position on Turkey's acquisition and continued possession of the Russian S-400 system has not changed," the letter read.
