U.S. President Trump Considers F-35 Sale to Türkiye as Indigenous KAAN Fighter Continues Development Phase.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on December 29, 2025, that he is “very seriously” considering approving the sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Türkiye, according to TRTWorld. The renewed interest comes as Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fifth-generation fighter remains in development and is not expected to reach full operational capability until the early 2030s.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reopened the possibility of advanced fighter jet sales to Türkiye, saying he is “very seriously” considering approving a deal for the F-35 Lightning II, citing information published by TRTWORLD on December 29, 2025. His comments follow earlier remarks by US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who confirmed that discussions on Ankara’s potential re-entry into the F-35 program are ongoing, as Türkiye continues to manage a capability gap while awaiting the operational debut of its domestically developed KAAN fighter.
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A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II in flight. The stealth fighter is under renewed consideration for sale to Türkiye as Ankara seeks an interim fifth-generation capability while its indigenous KAAN fighter continues development. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Behind this renewed interest in acquiring the U.S. F-35 fighter jet lies a clear strategic calculation from Ankara. With Türkiye’s next-generation indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, still in development and not expected to reach full operational capability until the early 2030s, Turkish defense planners are seeking a stopgap solution to maintain combat readiness and air dominance. The fifth-generation F-35 offers that bridge - not only through its stealth capabilities and advanced avionics but also by ensuring Türkiye’s tactical air force does not fall behind its regional and NATO peers during the critical interim.

The KAAN, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), represents the most ambitious national defense aviation project in Türkiye’s modern history. Officially known as Milli Muharip Uçak (MMU), or National Combat Aircraft, and previously designated TF-X (Turkish Fighter - Experimental), the twin-engine, stealth-capable fighter was conceived to replace Türkiye’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and serve as the backbone of the Turkish Air Force for decades to come.

The origins of the KAAN program date back to December 15, 2010, when Türkiye’s Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK) approved the launch of a next-generation fighter development initiative to secure future air superiority and reduce reliance on foreign platforms. In 2011, the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (now the Defence Industry Agency) signed an agreement with TAI to begin conceptual design work. TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI) was selected to lead propulsion efforts. Early studies, funded with an initial $20 million budget, focused on defining baseline capabilities, technological requirements, and cost estimates.

Full-scale development was formally launched in 2016, with key contributions from ASELSAN and TÜBİTAK for mission electronics, avionics, and radar systems. After years of design iteration, wind tunnel testing, and systems integration, the aircraft’s prototype began taxi and ground testing on March 16, 2023, and was officially rolled out at TAI’s Ankara facility two days later. The maiden flight, originally scheduled for the end of 2023, was successfully completed on February 21, 2024, marking Türkiye’s official entry into the exclusive group of nations capable of developing a fifth-generation combat aircraft.

By early 2025, the KAAN had entered flight trials, and on February 20, it completed its first full-profile test flight at the Akinci Flight Test Center. Since then, the aircraft has undergone over a dozen controlled test sorties, with Turkish engineers progressively validating aerodynamic performance, radar integration, and mission systems.

According to industry sources, 2026 will focus on structural optimization and radar cross-section refinement. TAI is working with ASELSAN and HAVELSAN to integrate an indigenously developed AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, and secure communications architecture. Initial production variants will be powered by licensed General Electric F110 engines, while a fully indigenous turbofan engine, being co-developed by TRMotor, is scheduled for later production blocks.

Turkish defense officials have publicly confirmed that the first production-standard KAAN is expected to be delivered in 2028, with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) projected for 2029-2030. Full operational maturity and squadron deployment with multi-role combat capability are not expected before 2032. The first tranche will include approximately 10 to 12 units, earmarked for advanced operational testing and pilot conversion training.

In this context, Ankara’s renewed push to acquire the U.S. F-35 fighter jet is not a political reversal but a calculated effort to ensure combat readiness during KAAN’s critical development window. Operating the F-35 alongside KAAN would not only strengthen Türkiye’s deterrent posture but also serve as a live operational learning environment for fifth-generation tactics, sustainment logistics, and mission planning - experience that will directly benefit the long-term sustainment of the KAAN fleet.

Additionally, Turkish defense experts point out that participation in the global F-35 ecosystem would provide valuable exposure to best practices in stealth maintenance, sensor fusion, and digital battle management - areas that KAAN will rely on to compete on equal footing with peer adversaries. Analysts also note that operating both platforms would enable Türkiye to field a high-low capability mix, with the KAAN tailored toward regional superiority and national strategic autonomy, while the F-35 fulfills immediate tactical requirements and maintains proven NATO interoperability.

While formal approval from the U.S. Congress is still pending, the Trump administration’s posture suggests a growing readiness to recalibrate defense ties with Türkiye. If authorized, the initial phase of the agreement could include the release of six F-35A aircraft already produced for Türkiye but held in U.S. storage since 2019. Subsequent deliveries could be structured in phases, based on progress in bilateral defense agreements and compliance with NATO operational standards.

As the KAAN project accelerates toward serial production and operational deployment, Türkiye’s airpower doctrine is entering a new era - one defined by technological sovereignty, strategic balancing, and a renewed appetite for frontline capability. The proposed F-35 acquisition reflects the harsh arithmetic of military readiness: bridging tomorrow’s ambition with today’s necessity.

In conclusion, Türkiye’s interest in rejoining the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program is driven by three core factors: operational necessity, strategic alignment, and industrial acceleration. With the Turkish-made KAAN fighter years away from combat readiness, the F-35 offers an immediate solution to preserve aerial deterrence and fulfill NATO interoperability standards. It also provides a critical technological benchmark that will inform the refinement and sustainment of the KAAN project. For Ankara, the move is not a step backward but a pragmatic leap forward, ensuring that Türkiye does not forfeit fifth-generation capabilities amid a window of global uncertainty.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.