F-35: why the North American fighter became a source of dispute between Türkiye, Israel and the USA

NATO leaders meet in Ankara, Turkey
The possibility of Turkey once again purchasing F-35 fighter jets from the United States has put an old diplomatic dispute back at the center of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, held this Tuesday (7), in Ankara.
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▶ Context: The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that he intends to lift the sanctions imposed to Türkiye over the purchase of a Russian military system. He also said he was willing to sell the F-35 fighter jets to the country again.
The statement was received with enthusiasm by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said he hoped for a positive outcome to the negotiations.
According to him, Trump had already promised to deliver five aircraft to Turkey and "always keeps his promises".
The possible resumption of the agreement, however, faces resistance from Israel, which fears that the sale will alter the military balance in the Middle East.
Turkey was part of the international F-35 program and participated in both the manufacture and purchase of the aircraft. In 2019, however, the Turkish government acquired the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft defense system, despite warnings from the United States.
At the time, the American government stated that the joint operation of the S-400 with the F-35 could allow Russia to obtain sensitive information about the technology of the fighter, considered one of the most advanced in the world.
In response, the US expelled Turkey from the program in 2020 and punished the country with sanctions. Furthermore, the US Congress passed a law prohibiting new sales of the F-35 as long as the Turks maintained the Russian systems.
Since then, Turkey has claimed that the decision was unfair. Ankara demands the delivery of aircraft for which it had already paid, reinstatement to the program or reimbursement of the amounts invested.
An F-35 jet lands on the runway of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during military exercises in Hawaii, USA
REUTERS
With Trump's return to the White House, the United States and Turkey began to show interest in resolving the impasse. However, the possibility of resuming sales of F-35s to Turkey worries Israel.
On Monday (6), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he asked the United States not to authorize the sale of F-35s or engines for combat aircraft to Turkey.
According to Netanyahu, the measure would alter the military balance in the Middle East. The prime minister also cited recent statements by Turkish authorities against Israel.
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What is the F-35?
The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced fighters in the world and is among the main combat aircraft of the United States Armed Forces.
The aircraft can carry different types of missiles and bombs and reach speeds of around 2,000 km/h, above the speed of sound.
✈ See more details in the infographic below:
Infographic shows data from the American F-35 jet.
Art team/g1
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