Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed his call for Turkey to be readmitted to the F-35 fighter jet program, arguing that such a move would help reset ties with the United States and strengthen NATO’s collective security, Bloomberg reported.

Erdogan said he raised the issue directly with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House in September, describing Ankara’s removal from the program over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system as unjust.

“With Trump’s return to power, an opportunity has emerged to bring Turkish-U.S. relations back onto a more rational and constructive footing,” Turkey’s president was quoted as saying. He added that Turkey’s receipt of the F-35 aircraft it has already paid for, and its reinstatement in the program, were “important and necessary” for improving bilateral relations and for NATO’s defense posture.

Turkey was suspended from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 systems, a move Washington said posed a security risk to the alliance.

According to Bloomberg, Ankara is now seeking ways to dispose of the S-400 systems. Erdogan discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Turkmenistan, signaling Turkey’s efforts to repair defense ties with Washington, which Erdogan has described as a “central pillar” of bilateral relations.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, a close ally of Trump, said late last year that Ankara was nearing a decision to transfer the S-400s elsewhere, estimating the issue could be resolved within four to six months.

Turkey is also pursuing the purchase of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States, though negotiations over pricing are ongoing. Erdogan said Ankara expects terms consistent with NATO alliance principles, citing Turkey’s separate acquisition of Eurofighter jets as a reference point.

source Bloomberg