A dispute between the U.S. and Turkey over a stealth fighter jet deal is raising concerns about potential intelligence leaks to enemy states, amid Ankara’s support for Hamas and its purchase of Russian defense systems.
Opposition is mounting in the United States against the possibility of Turkey rejoining the F-35 stealth fighter jet program—a long-held dream of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to a report by Breaking Defense, officials in both the U.S. administration and Congress view such a deal as a serious threat to national security, not only for the U.S. but also for its allies. Their concerns center largely on the risk of sensitive information about the aircraft leaking to adversaries such as Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Over the weekend, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barrack stated that there are signs of progress in resolving the dispute between the two countries over Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program. Erdoğan, who had previously appealed directly to former President Donald Trump to allow Turkey back into the initiative, continues to press Washington on the matter. However, strong opposition remains within both Congress and the administration. Critics argue that supplying Turkey with F-35 jets could result in the transfer of classified information regarding the aircraft’s capabilities—including advanced sensors and stealth technologies—to hostile nations.
These concerns are further amplified by Turkey’s 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, which led to its removal from the F-35 program. Lawmakers warn that operating S-400 systems alongside F-35s could allow Russia to gather data on how to counter the aircraft in combat. There are fears that such intelligence could also be passed along to China, Iran, and North Korea. As a cautionary example, critics point to American Javelin and Stinger missiles that fell into Russian hands in Ukraine and were later transferred to Iran, where they were studied for vulnerabilities.
In addition, some members of Congress cite Turkey’s support for Hamas following the October 7 attack as a moral reason to oppose the deal. The F-35, which is operated by all branches of the U.S. military and by 19 other nations, is considered a core strategic asset for confronting potential conflicts with global rivals. Opponents stress that any compromise to the jet’s security could harm the defenses of NATO members, South Korea, and Israel.
Despite Ambassador Barrack’s indication of progress, it appears the path to any renewed deal remains fraught with significant obstacles.
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