S-400

Trump, Erdogan, and the F-35 enigma - opinion

Turkey’s F-35 struggle is not just about aircraft; it is about trust, intelligence, and the future of a NATO alliance.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he arrives at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during a formal welcome for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet flies overhead during the "Salute to America" Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2026.

Turkey could work around US limits to F-35 if sale happens, Israeli defense officials stress

Though the UAE and Saudi Arabia dropped their interest in F-35s after US legislation imposed limits on the aircraft, Israeli defense officials worry that Turkey won't be affected the same way.

|ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during an interview with Reuters at the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025

Turkey says it hopes US will lift sanctions soon, continues push for F-35 fighter jets

President Donald Trump said he would lift sanctions on Turkey after the US Congress passed legislation requiring Turkey to give up the Russian S-400 defense system in exchange for F-35s.

|ByREUTERS
An F-35 plane stands on the tarmac at Nevatim Air Force Base.

US expected to send six F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, lift bans, following NATO summit - report

The deal would depend on US President Donald Trump reversing the ban on Ankara's purchase of the latest-generation American fighter jets, the report noted. 

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS

Emboldened by S-400s, Turkey threatens offensive in eastern Syria

US calls move "unacceptable."

JULY 14, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
First parts of a Russian S-400 missile defense system are unloaded from a Russian plane at Murted Airport, known as Akinci Air Base, near Ankara, Turkey, July 12, 2019.

Russia delivers missile system to Turkey in challenge to NATO

The United States says the Russian military hardware is not compatible with NATO systems and that the acquisition may lead to Ankara's expulsion from an F-35 fighter jet program.

JULY 12, 2019ByREUTERS
Russian servicemen drive S-400 missile air defense systems during the Victory Day parade, marking the 73rd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow, Russia May 9, 2018

The waiting game for S-400s to arrive in Turkey

Ankara’s plan is to improve ties with Russia, with whom it is increasingly allied

JULY 11, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Russian servicemen drive S-400 missile air defense systems during the Victory Day parade, marking the 73rd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow, Russia May 9, 2018

From U.S. to Iran, Russia’s S-400 upending the world - analysis

Russia’s S-400 has the potential to both embarrass Washington and upend the traditional US alliance system in the region.

JUNE 7, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Russian S-400 missile air defence systems on display during a parade marking the 73rd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at Red Square in Moscow, May 9, 2018.