CAATSA Sanctions Against Turkey to Go, F-35 Flight to Ankara Likely

With U.S. President Donald Trump announcing the lifting of sanctions against Turkey under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the path could open for Ankara to acquire 5 F-35 fighter jets, built in 2018 but kept in storage since.

During a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan US President Donald Trump, who met in Ankara as part of the NATO Leaders Summit stated, "We are now lifting the sanctions imposed on Türkiye. We do not want our friends to be under sanctions." However the formal lifting of the CAATSA sanctions will require an administrative process the time-frame for which is not known as yet.

In his assessment of the F-35 program , Erdoğan stated, “The F-35 issue is not new for us, and we have discussed it with America before. We have received a promise for all five aircraft. I believe that a positive decision will emerge from this Leaders' Summit regarding the F-35s. Mr. Trump always stands by his word.”

Regarding giving the f-35s to Turkey, Trump emphasized the strength of relations with Turkey , saying, “As you know, the F-35s are the best planes, and this is a decision we need to make. Why not? Because we have a very good relationship with Turkey, and Turkey is a much more loyal country than other countries in maintaining its relations with us. Of course, we will consider this.”

The Turkish Air Force initially ordered 30 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets of which 8 are manufactured and ready for delivery when CAATSA was imposed. Within the scope of the program, the production of 5 F-35A fighter jets with tail numbers 18-0001, 18-0002, 18-0003, 18-0004, and 18-0005 was completed for Turkey.

The first F-35 aircraft was delivered in June 2018, while the first Turkish pilot flew an F-35 in August 2018. These aircraft have been stored in the US for an average of 8 years.