Türkiye re-launches bid for 40 F-35 fighter jets amid shifting US stance
F-35 JSFs of the Turkish Air Force (18-0005) in the hangar. (X Photo)
Türkiye has reiterated its desire to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated Wednesday.
Despite being removed in 2019 over its S-400 acquisition, Guler noted that the U.S. appears to have shifted its stance, expressing a willingness to revisit the matter.
‘We insist that our production share be given back’
“We have 6 airplanes there. When the Americans saw that we built the KAAN and that it was flying, they changed their minds about the F-35,” Guler stated.
“They themselves have expressed that they can give us F-35s. There has been no progress on this issue. We insist that our production share be given back, and we have also expressed our desire to buy 40 F-35s,” Guler concluded.
Altay tank production to begin in 2025
The minister confirmed that mass production of Türkiye’s indigenous Altay main battle tank will commence by the end of 2025.
He highlighted the tank’s importance in bolstering Türkiye’s defense capabilities, noting the inclusion of over 3,000 tanks already in the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TAF) inventory.
Mediterranean and Aegean disputes addressed
Guler emphasized Türkiye’s firm stance on maritime disputes in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. He accused Greece of violating international agreements by militarizing islands, including Meis, which are designated as demilitarized zones.
Guler warned that Türkiye will not tolerate the militarization of these areas and will assert its rights under international law.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, Guler highlighted Türkiye’s actions to protect its continental shelf and maritime rights. He pointed to incidents like Türkiye preventing unauthorized activities, such as cable-laying by foreign vessels, as evidence of its commitment to maintaining sovereignty in the region.
