Washington: Members of the US House of Representatives have expressed strong concerns about Turkey’s potential reentry into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, emphasizing the need for careful negotiations.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, which includes Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Dina Titus (D-NV), issued a press release highlighting their apprehensions. They emphasized that Turkey was rightfully removed from the program in 2019 due to its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, which violated U.S. law under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The representatives expressed that President Erdogan’s collaboration with Russia undermines U.S. defense security and threatens allied defense cooperation. They warned that Turkey’s continued possession of the S-400 system, while seeking access to the F-35 jets, could expose sensitive U.S. military capabilities to Russian intelligence and jeopardize the development of future military platforms.
Additionally, they criticized Erdogan’s government for its disregard for international norms and democratic principles, citing actions such as crackdowns on press freedom and aggressive military maneuvers that have drawn international condemnation.
The legislators emphasized the importance of upholding CAATSA sanctions to protect American defense assets and maintain accountability in international relations. They cautioned that rewarding Erdogan’s government without significant behavioral changes could weaken U.S. foreign policy credibility and urged a firm stance in defending U.S. laws and alliances.