Turkey in talks to rejoin US F-35 fighter jet programme, envoy says

An F-35 jet performs performs at the Dubai Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 17, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

ANKARA, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. is in discussions with Turkey regarding Ankara's rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme and Washington hopes that talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday.

Washington removed Ankara from Lockheed Martin's advanced F-35 programme and imposed the sanctions in 2020 over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems. Turkey has said the move was unjust and voiced hope that the sides could overcome the issue during U.S. President Donald Trump's second term.