Turkey is exploring whether returning Russian-made S-400 air defence systems could reopen the door to buying U.S. F-35 fighter jets, a move that would mark a significant recalibration of Ankara’s defence posture as it seeks to modernise an ageing air force and reset strained ties with Washington.
Bloomberg News reported this week that Turkish officials have discussed the option with Russian counterparts, including the possibility of compensation through discounted energy imports. The Kremlin denied that the issue was discussed when Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan last week, while Turkey declined to comment.
The S-400 purchase in 2017 triggered Turkey’s removal from the F-35 programme during President Donald Trump’s first term, with U.S. officials citing concerns that operating the Russian system alongside NATO aircraft could expose sensitive data on the stealth jet to Moscow. Under U.S. law, Turkey must no longer possess or operate the S-400s to rejoin the programme.
Recent signals suggest momentum may be building. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said talks on a potential F-35 sale were “fruitful,” adding that improved ties between Trump and Erdogan had created the most constructive atmosphere on the issue in nearly a decade.
For Ankara, the stakes are high. Turkey has NATO’s second-largest military but faces mounting pressure to renew its fighter fleet. It is pursuing a phased approach: securing Eurofighter Typhoons in the near term while keeping the option of F-35s alive. Britain has agreed to sell 20 Eurofighters, and Turkey plans interim purchases from Qatar and Oman until new aircraft are delivered.
Returning the S-400s, however, would carry costs beyond logistics. The system has been a symbol of Turkey’s strategic autonomy and a cornerstone of its defence ties with Russia, even as Ankara balances relations with Moscow and the West amid the Ukraine war. Any reversal could test that balancing act.
Regional dynamics further complicate the calculus. Israel has long voiced concern over potential F-35 sales to nearby states, seeking to preserve its qualitative military edge. While Washington has said aircraft destined for other Middle Eastern buyers would be less advanced than those operated by Israel, the issue remains sensitive.
Analysts say Ankara’s deliberations reflect a broader effort to capitalise on improved relations with Western partners while hedging against security risks. Whether Turkey can square domestic political considerations, ties with Russia and U.S. legal requirements will determine if the S-400s become a bargaining chip – or a permanent obstacle – on the path back to the F-35.