A new bipartisan initiative in the U.S. Congress is renewing pressure on the Trump administration to block any effort to reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, underscoring that the legal and strategic reasons behind Ankara’s exclusion remain firmly in place.
The effort is being led by Representatives Chris Pappas, Gus Bilirakis, Dina Titus, and Nicole Malliotakis, who are circulating a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The lawmakers argue that any attempt to readmit Turkey before it relinquishes its Russian-made S-400 missile defense system would violate U.S. law and undermine American national security.
The S-400 Remains the Core Obstacle
Turkey was removed from the multinational F-35 program in 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first administration, after purchasing the Russian S-400 air-defense system.
Washington has consistently maintained that operating the S-400 alongside the F-35 could expose highly sensitive stealth technology and operational data to Russian intelligence, posing unacceptable risks to both the aircraft and NATO’s integrated defense architecture.
As a result, Turkey remains subject to sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
A Clear Message to the State Department
In their letter, lawmakers urge the administration to respect existing legislation rather than pursue a political compromise with Ankara.
They warn:
“Lifting sanctions or allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program without first removing the S-400s would jeopardize the integrity of F-35 systems, expose U.S. military secrets to Russian intelligence, undermine our defense industrial base, and weaken allied confidence in future American defense platforms.”
The members of Congress also emphasize that the issue transcends partisan politics.
“This is not a partisan issue. Congress has consistently supported CAATSA sanctions and Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program across multiple administrations and with bipartisan support.”
Congressional Resistance to a Policy Shift
The initiative comes amid renewed discussions in Washington over the future of U.S.-Turkey defense relations.
Recent reports suggested that Ankara has intensified efforts to persuade the Trump administration to lift CAATSA sanctions and reopen negotiations over participation in the F-35 program. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also confirmed after the NATO Summit that technical discussions with the United States had resumed.
However, lawmakers argue that the administration’s room for maneuver remains limited by legislation passed by Congress.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently acknowledged during a congressional hearing that current U.S. law prevents the administration from restoring Turkey to the F-35 program unless existing legal restrictions are addressed.
Why the Issue Matters Beyond Turkey
The dispute extends far beyond the sale of fighter aircraft.
For Washington, it is fundamentally about safeguarding NATO’s technological edge, protecting classified military capabilities, and ensuring that U.S. defense systems are not exposed to adversarial intelligence through Russian-built platforms.
Members of Congress argue that relaxing restrictions without resolving the S-400 issue would weaken the credibility of U.S. sanctions policy and send the wrong signal to allies and strategic competitors alike.
Implications for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean
The continued congressional opposition reinforces Greece’s strategic position in the region.
Athens is moving ahead with its acquisition of up to 40 F-35A fighter jets, complementing its Rafale fleet and upgraded F-16 Vipers. As long as Turkey remains outside the program, Greece maintains a significant qualitative advantage in fifth-generation air capabilities.
From a broader geopolitical perspective, the debate illustrates the delicate balance Washington is attempting to strike: preserving Turkey’s role within NATO while simultaneously enforcing legal restrictions designed to protect U.S. defense technology and alliance cohesion.
A Battle Far From Over
The congressional letter does not automatically block future policy changes, nor does it constitute new legislation. Nevertheless, it sends a powerful political message: bipartisan resistance to Turkey’s return to the F-35 program remains strong.
Unless Ankara fundamentally changes its position on the S-400 system, lawmakers argue, the legal and strategic barriers preventing its return are likely to remain firmly in place.
Source: pagenews.gr