Tensions rise as US opposes Turkey's fighter jet programme amid Russia fears

Tensions between Turkey and the United States have intensified amid the Euro-Asian country's plan to upgrade its military equipment, despite its possession of Russian missile defence systems. Some 40 members of the US Congress have urged the State Department to reject Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 fighter jet programme due to its possession of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system.

In a letter warning of the risks of readmitting Turkey to the program, which has 17 members including the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, South Korea and Germany, the representatives said that lifting sanctions and allowing a Turkish return "would jeopardise the integrity of the F-35 systems". The lawmakers also argued that such a move would expose US military secrets to Russian intelligence, undermine confidence in future US defence platforms among allies and disrupt the development of the next-generation fighter jet. They claim that the opposition to Turkey's participation is a bipartisan issue, with consistent support across administrations to uphold sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which imposed penalties on Iran, North Korea and Russia.

"We must continue to hold allies and adversaries accountable when their actions threaten US interests," the US lawmakers wrote, urging the administration to maintain CAATSA sanctions and protect US defence assets.

Turkey was removed from the US F-35 program in July 2019 over security concerns following its purchase of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. This highly advanced system, previously known as the S-300 PMU-3, is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed in the 1990s. It is designed to intercept and destroy a wide range of airborne threats, including aircraft, drones and cruise and ballistic missiles. It is known for its long-range capabilities, high degree of automation and ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously.

Turkey began receiving components of the Russian S-400 missile defence system in July 2019, with the first shipment arriving at an airbase in Ankara.

Now, Turkey has reportedly begun bargaining to rejoin the program, despite the fact that the US has said it cannot operate both the S-400 and the US-made F-35 fighter jets. To acquire the aircraft, Ankara has suggested "storing the S-400 in boxes and allowing the US to carry out inspections".

The fighter jet program has been a source of tension in Europe. Turkey is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighters through its ambitious KAAN project, which officially began in 2010. This decision was driven by the need to replace the country's ageing F-16 fleet and reduce reliance on foreign military equipment. This Turkish offering, which, it is claimed, could soon rival the F-35 in arms sales, has been generating interest from emerging economies across the globe.

The KAAN aircraft, developed by state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is expected to be more affordable than the F35, according to TAI's leadership. Turkey aims to begin operational deployment of the jet by 2028.

The two governments said that in late July, Turkey signed its first export deal with Indonesia for 48 planes. Reports suggest that Egypt will become the next participant in the KAAN fighter program, although no official statements have been made by Cairo or Ankara, according to Newsweek. A formal agreement between the two countries is expected later this year.

Turkey's arms industry has gained a significant following after the early success of the Bayraktar TB2 drone, used by Ukraine against Russia.