Donald Trump may allow Turkey back into F-35 fighter jet programme: Report

US President Donald Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is prepared to allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, marking a potential breakthrough in one of the biggest disputes between Washington and Ankara, the New York Times reported. The reported move comes as Trump heads to Ankara for the Nato summit, where he is expected to meet Erdogan. The two-day summit begins on Tuesday evening, with defence spending and alliance security dominating the agenda. According to the report, Trump is exploring ways to work around congressional and legal restrictions that have blocked Turkey's return to the programme since 2019. While officials differed on the exact mechanism, they said the issue could be advanced through an exchange of letters between the two leaders. Turkey's removal from F-35 programme Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, a move Washington said posed a security risk to the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The US subsequently imposed sanctions on Ankara and Congress passed legislation prohibiting the sale of F-35s to Turkey as long as it retained the S-400 system. The dispute has remained one of the biggest sticking points in US-Turkey relations despite warmer ties under Trump's presidency. Last month, however, the Trump administration formally notified Congress of its intention to approve the sale of dozens of jet engines worth more than $700 million to Turkey, according to Reuters, signalling improving defence ties between the two Nato allies. Netanyahu opposes F-35 sale The prospect of restoring Turkey's access to the F-35 has drawn opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu urged the United States not to resume F-35 sales to Turkey, arguing that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "calls openly for the annihilation of Israel." Netanyahu warned that supplying Turkey with the advanced fighter jets would "upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and also, I think, by America's posture in the Middle East." The issue comes amid broader differences between Washington and Jerusalem following the Iran conflict. As reported by Axios, senior Trump administration officials have privately expressed frustration over what they described as unfulfilled assurances from Netanyahu during the war, while the Israeli leader has urged Trump to limit Erdogan's growing regional influence and avoid strengthening Turkey's air force. Nato summit in focus The development comes as Nato leaders gather in Ankara for a summit expected to focus on increasing defence spending and strengthening the alliance's military capabilities. Nato secretary General Mark Rutte is set to unveil billions of dollars' worth of new defence projects, aimed at demonstrating that European allies are investing more heavily in security. Trump has repeatedly criticised Nato members for relying too heavily on the United States for defence, while also maintaining a close personal relationship with Erdogan, raising expectations that the Turkish leader could emerge as one of the key beneficiaries of improved ties with Washington.