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U.S. Moves to Approve $700M F110 Engine Sale as Trump Weighs F-35 Re‑entry for Turkey

The administration’s push seeks to mend ties with Erdoğan and could shift NATO relations if Washington opens the door to restoring Turkey’s F-35 access.

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Turkey's purchase of a Russian S-400 missile system, like the ones seen here in Moscow's Red Square last year, sparked widespread concern within NATO
Turkey is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, known as the KAAN

Overview

  • In early July 2026 the White House advanced approval of roughly $700 million in GE F110 engine sales to Turkey, a step officials say would support Turkey’s KAAN fighter program and testing.
  • President Trump has signaled he may take actions in Ankara that would please President Erdoğan, and U.S. officials are privately weighing options to allow Turkey back into the F-35 program though no re‑admission has been finalized.
  • Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after buying Russia’s S-400 air-defense system, and any move to restore access must clear legal limits, congressional review, and possible sanctions statutes.
  • Security experts warn that Turkish possession of both S-400 defenses and F-35 platforms could let Russia collect sensitive data on the jet’s stealth and sensors, a technical risk cited by analysts and former officials.
  • Congressional leaders and NATO partners are likely to push back, which could produce a U.S. legislative dispute over the engines and F-35 access and reshape alliance cohesion and Turkey’s defense industry plans.