40 U.S. Congress Members: Turkey’s Reentry into the F-35 Program Threatens National Security
Forty members of the U.S. Congress stated in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Turkey’s reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program would pose a risk to U.S. national security and defense technology. The letter highlighted that taking such a step without addressing Ankara’s possession of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system would endanger the integrity of the F-35 program.
The lawmakers noted that the presence of the S-400s in Turkey carries the risk of sensitive American information falling into Russian intelligence hands, which could both weaken the defense industry and undermine allies’ confidence in U.S. weapons systems.
The letter comes following reports that Turkey has requested relief from sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). The lawmakers emphasized that nearly ten years after acquiring the S-400 system, Ankara has shown no sign of abandoning it, and that backing down would reward behavior contrary to NATO ally interests.
The letter was also supported by various civil society and advocacy groups, including the American Jewish Committee, Friends of American Kurdistan, Armenian National Committee of America, Coordinated Efforts of Hellenes, United Christians for Israel, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), Middle East Forum, International Coordinating Committee for Justice in Cyprus (PSEKA), and the American Hellenic Institute.
