Israel urges Trump to block Turkey’s F‑35 and engine deal over regional balance concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed U.S. President Donald Trump not to approve the sale of advanced American military equipment to Turkey, arguing that providing Ankara with F‑35 fighter jets or engines for its indigenous KAAN fighter would shift the regional balance of power.

According to Axios and Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu raised the issue during a phone call with Trump on Friday. He asked the United States to refrain from supplying Turkey with weapons systems intended to modernize the Turkish Air Force.

The démarche comes ahead of Trump’s visit to Turkey for the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara, where he is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Discussions are anticipated to include a reported $700 million agreement for the sale of F110 fighter jet engines manufactured by General Electric and the possibility of Turkey rejoining the F‑35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

Israeli and U.S. officials cited in the reports said Netanyahu expressed concern over statements by Erdoğan and other Turkish officials regarding Israel.

In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu argued that Turkey “does not deserve” to receive F‑35 fighter jets or engines for its domestically developed KAAN aircraft.

“Turkey is a wonderful country, but it is led by someone who openly calls for the destruction of Israel, namely Erdoğan,” Netanyahu said.

He also claimed that delivering such capabilities to Turkey would erode Israel’s military edge and destabilize the regional balance of power.

During the same interview, Netanyahu asserted that Erdoğan “occupies half of Cyprus,” incorrectly describing the island as a NATO member. Cyprus is not a member of the alliance.

According to Axios, it remains unclear how much influence Netanyahu’s request will carry in Washington, given Trump’s relationship with Erdoğan and broader U.S. economic and strategic interests.

One U.S. official quoted in the report said, “Netanyahu put forward a request, and the president listened to him,” adding that Trump might encourage Erdoğan to moderate some of his public rhetoric concerning Israel.

Turkey is seeking to purchase F110 engines for its domestically developed fifth‑generation KAAN fighter while also pursuing a return to the F‑35 program.

Ankara was removed from the F‑35 initiative in 2019 after it acquired the Russian S‑400 air‑defence system, a move that triggered U.S. sanctions and ended its participation in the multinational fighter effort.

Although Trump has previously signaled openness to improving defense cooperation with Turkey, any readmission of Ankara to the F‑35 program or approval of specific military sales would require congressional approval.

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