The possibility of Turkey rejoining the F‑35 fighter‑jet program has sparked a fresh fight in Washington. A coalition of Greek‑American lobbyists and several members of Congress are working to preserve the legal barriers that currently block the sale of U.S. fighters to Ankara.
The issue resurfaced after President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but the administration has not yet issued an official decision on Turkey’s re‑entry into the programme.
Greek officials stress that while each nation has the sovereign right to decide its own armaments, Athens also has a duty to raise security concerns it deems vital for regional stability. Greece points to outstanding disputes with Turkey—including the 1995 parliamentary justification for war, challenges to Greek sovereign rights, and ongoing tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean—as reasons to demand strict safeguards on any advanced weapons sales.
In Congress, supporters of maintaining the restrictions recall that Turkey’s 2019 removal from the F‑35 programme was not merely political; it was directly linked to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S‑400 air‑defence system.
Dina Titus’s Letter Mobilizes Congressional Opposition
Democratic Representative Dina Titus of Nevada led the first public action, gathering signatures from 18 colleagues on a letter to House leadership. The letter calls for assurances that existing U.S. law will be upheld and that Congress will be prepared to intervene if the administration moves forward with Turkey’s return.
Thanos Davelis, Director of Public Affairs at the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), described the letter as the first organized congressional response. “Dina Titus has assembled a bipartisan group—eighteen members in total—who are ready to act and prevent any unilateral move by the President on the F‑35s,” he said.
Davelis noted a contrast within the Republican ranks. While many Republicans are cautious, they prefer a quieter strategy, working behind the scenes to influence the administration without publicly signing the letter.
The Legislative “Wall” Blocking the Sale
Opponents cite specific congressional statutes that bar Turkey from acquiring the F‑35 while it possesses the Russian S‑400 system. The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) imposes sanctions on major purchasers of Russian defense equipment, and accompanying provisions in U.S. defence budgets tie any F‑35 transfer to the removal of the S‑400s.
“The CAATSA legislation was enacted during President Trump’s first term not only to address Turkey but to give the U.S. a tool for sanctioning any country that buys Russian defence systems,” Davelis explained. “Subsequent bills explicitly state that F‑35s cannot be delivered to Turkey as long as it retains the S‑400s.”
Defining “Possession” of the S‑400
A central legal question is how “possession” of the S‑400 is interpreted. U.S. law refers not only to the system’s active use but also to whether Turkey continues to hold the hardware. One scenario under discussion involves removing the S‑400s from Turkish control or transferring them to a third country, thereby eliminating the legal obstacle.
Beyond legalities, the United States is concerned about safeguarding F‑35 technology. Operating a Russian S‑400 alongside a fifth‑generation U.S. fighter could enable the collection of sensitive data on the aircraft’s stealth, electronics and operational capabilities.
“There is a risk that the S‑400 could capture U.S. secret information about the F‑35 and transmit it to Russia,” Davelis warned. This security risk was the primary reason for Turkey’s removal from the programme in 2019, after a decade of participation as a co‑producer.
Broader Lobbying Efforts
The campaign extends beyond Greek‑American groups. Davelis said that American‑Jewish organizations are also active on the issue, adding their political weight to the opposition.
HALC continues to engage members of Congress, administration officials and think‑tanks to shape the debate. Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on whether the White House’s desire for closer ties with Ankara can overcome Congress’s firm legislative framework regarding the S‑400.
Davelis predicts, “If Congress mobilises sufficiently, we may see a decisive result.”
