The US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrett, stated that Turkey is close to overcoming the main obstacle preventing its reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program, noting that technical and operational issues have been significantly reduced.

Barrett highlighted that Turkey has made substantial progress in resolving “operational compatibility” issues related to the Russian S-400 air defense system, which had been the primary reason for its removal from the F-35 program. He noted that Turkey’s reduced use of the S-400 has eased Washington’s concerns, though the fact that the system remains in Turkey is still a point of caution.

According to Bloomberg, Barrett estimated that “the matter will be resolved within the next four to six months”, emphasizing that consultations are accelerating. He also suggested that Ankara is increasingly likely to permanently phase out the Russian defense system, a development that could remove the final barrier for Turkey’s return to the F-35 program.

The S-400 issue was previously raised during a September meeting at the White House between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump. Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 about a decade ago led to its exclusion from the F-35 program and the imposition of sanctions under the CAATSA law on Turkish defense companies.

The United States has argued that the Russian system compromises the stealth capabilities of the F-35, while Ankara insists it can mitigate the risks and that the system will not be integrated into NATO. Trump had hinted in September that the sale of F-35s to Turkey could be allowed if progress is made.