U.S. Confirms Turkey's Exclusion from F-35 Program Amid S-400 Concerns
We are not examining Turkey’s re-entry into the F-35 program, says Rubio

Image: Protothema
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 program is not being considered due to existing U.S. legislation. This decision is influenced by Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, which violates U.S. defense laws.
- 01Marco Rubio confirmed that U.S. law mandates Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program.
- 02Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system halted its participation in the program.
- 03U.S. legislation, including the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and CAATSA sanctions, governs this decision.
- 04The U.S. ambassador to Turkey had previously hinted at a possible reinstatement, which Rubio dismissed.
- 05The U.S. government currently has no legal option to consider Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 program.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
During a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Turkey's potential reinstatement into the F-35 program is not under consideration due to existing U.S. laws. Rubio responded to questions from Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus regarding comments made by U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, about Turkey's possible return to the program. He emphasized that Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system led to its removal from the F-35 initiative, a decision mandated by U.S. legislation. Rubio clarified that the legal framework, including provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), prohibits any consideration of Turkey's re-entry. He stated, "Turkey was a member of the program but that stopped when it proceeded with the purchase of the S-400 from the Russians." This statement underscores the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Turkey regarding defense procurement and international relations.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think Turkey should be allowed back into the F-35 program?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.





