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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday urged the U.S. to refrain from selling its F-35 fighter jets or their components to Turkey, warning it could disrupt regional power dynamics.
Later in the day, President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit Ankara for a NATO summit. Turkey might see this visit as an opportunity to push for the acquisition of dozens of jet engines and possibly re-enter the F-35 program.
However, Netanyahu warned that providing Turkey with advanced military technology like the F-35s would be a mistake, especially considering Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s openly hostile stance, which Netanyahu claims includes calls for Israel’s destruction.
“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets because that would upset the balance of power in the Middle East,” Netanyahu told Fox News on “Fox & Friends.”
Last month, Trump assured Erdogan that he would do everything possible to make Turkey “very happy” regarding their interest in obtaining F110 jet engines and rejoining the F-35 program.
Experts believe Turkey aims to develop its own fifth-generation fighter, the KAAN, utilizing these engines, seeking to join a small group of nations—like the U.S., China, and Russia—that produce advanced combat aircraft.
Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 missile system in 2017 led to strong displeasure from Washington, which expelled Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019.
Despite recent tensions, Netanyahu affirmed that his relationship with Trump remains strong. “We are the best of allies,” he said. “My relationship with the president is fine.”
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