Trump says he is considering selling top-end F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye
Despite adamant opposition from visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said Monday he is considering selling top-end F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 01:58 | 30 December 2025
US President Donald Trump said Monday he was considering selling top-end F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, 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 Türkiye as he met Netanyahu at the US leader's Florida club.
The United States booted Türkiye 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.
Trump, however, has warm relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, despite the Turkish leader's fiery denunciations of Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza.
Asked about the potential for conflict between Israel and Türkiye, Trump called Erdogan "a very good friend."
"We're not going have a problem," Trump said of Israel and Türkiye. "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.
He more recently voiced support for F-35 sales to Saudi Arabia, despite longstanding US policy that Israel must have a military edge over potential regional adversaries.