Key points
- Israel strongly opposes potential US–Turkiye fighter deal
- Turkiye was removed from F-35 programme in 2019
- Trump cites close personal ties with Erdogan
PALM BEACH, United States: US President Donald Trump said he was considering selling top-end F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who adamantly opposes the move.
“We’re thinking about it very seriously,” Trump said when asked about an F-35 deal for Turkiye as he met Netanyahu at the US leader’s Florida club.
The United States booted Turkiye from development of the F-35, a top-of-the-line stealth plane, in 2019 after the NATO ally went ahead with purchases of missile defense from Russia, reports AFP.
Israeli policymakers argue that F-35s would benefit Turkiye in a potential war. Israel and Turkiye are at odds over war-ravaged Syria, which neighbours both countries.
Asked about the potential for conflict between Israel and Turkiye, Trump called Erdogan “a very good friend.”
“We’re not going to have a problem,” Trump said of Israel and Turkiye. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
Trump, in his first term, also agreed to sell F-35s to the United Arab Emirates after it recognized Israel.
