Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Israel would prefer the United States not proceed with any future transfer of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to Turkey, citing security concerns, The Jerusalem Post reported.

“We would prefer that Turkey not receive F-35s from the US,” he said in an interview with the daily, adding that Israel has made its position clear and does not think “it’s constructive at this time. The United States will make its decision accordingly.”

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after taking delivery of the Russian S-400 defense system, which Washington said compromised NATO technologies. Ankara has since lobbied for reinstatement, arguing that its expulsion was unfair. The issue has resurfaced amid reports of renewed contacts between Ankara and Washington on fighter jet cooperation.

Leiter described President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as “hostile and bellicose” but noted that Turkey remains strategically important to Western security due to its geography, NATO membership and large military.

“We understand the strategic importance of Turkey to the United States,” he said. “It’s a NATO member, a large army, a key geography. And we don’t challenge that.”

But, he added, “We can’t have Turkish troops in Gaza or Syria. And those practical demands haven’t been challenged by the United States; they’ve been accepted.”

 

Turkey says it is prepared to take on responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, including the possibility of deploying troops if required following the agreement of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in October.

Leiter also dismissed concerns about a possible US-Saudi F-35 deal or other American weapons sales to Arab states. “There’s no indication that Israel’s qualitative edge will be compromised,” he said. “We don’t live in fear. Why would I live in fear that our qualitative edge is going to be compromised? There’s no reason to assume it will be.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The F-35 deal, a US-Saudi security agreement and possible normalization with Israel are expected to be the key topics in the meeting.

Why the F-35 matters

The F-35 is the world’s most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter, used by the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Poland, Finland and Switzerland. Additional European countries have signed contracts for future deliveries.

The aircraft’s low-visibility design, long-range sensors and real-time data-sharing make it central to modern air operations. One of its key features is network-centric warfare capability, a model in which aircraft, command centers and ground units share information instantly. This allows pilots to detect and track threats earlier and coordinate attacks across multiple platforms.

For Turkey, acquiring the F-35 would introduce this network-centric capability into its air force for the first time. Such a system would allow Turkish jets to identify and strike targets while staying outside the effective range of hostile air-defense systems, improving precision strike and surveillance missions in contested airspace.

What F-35s would mean for Turkey

If Turkey is allowed back into the program, the F-35 would mark a long-term shift in Turkey’s air power, which currently relies on F-16s undergoing modernization.

Military analysts say the jet would increase Turkey’s ability to conduct deep-strike missions, intelligence gathering and joint NATO operations. It would also support Turkey’s regional posture in areas such as northern Syria and the eastern Mediterranean, where airpower has been central to military planning.

The F-35 could also operate from Turkey’s amphibious assault ship the TCG Anadolu, which was designed with STOVL (short take-off and vertical landing) capability in mind. Deploying the F-35B variant from the ship would give Turkey sea-based air power projection, allowing advanced jets to launch from maritime positions rather than domestic airfields, expanding its operational reach across the region.

Legal and political barriers in the United States

Turkey cannot simply rejoin the program. Several US laws prevent any transfer of F-35 aircraft to Ankara. The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) remains in force due to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes annual provisions that block the delivery of F-35s unless the S-400 issue is resolved or the sanctions are lifted.

Any sale of advanced US military systems also requires congressional approval, giving lawmakers significant authority over the process at a time when both Israeli and Greek officials have voiced concerns about Turkey’s potential return to the program.

Washington has said any change would require a “clear and permanent” solution to the S-400 dispute. Ankara has rejected dismantling or transferring the system, leaving the issue unresolved.

In a letter sent on August 20 to Representative Chris Pappas and other members of Congress, the State Department said the US position “has not changed” and that Turkey’s possession of the S-400 remains incompatible with participation in the F-35 program.

The letter, signed by Paul D. Guaglianone, senior official at the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, stressed that requirements for Turkey are well established under US law, including section 1245 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

Regional implications

The debate comes at a time when Turkey and Israel continue to diverge on several regional questions. Both operate militarily in Syria but with different goals, and the eastern Mediterranean remains an area of complex maritime and security competition. An F-35-equipped Turkey would likely strengthen its deterrence posture and expand its intelligence and strike capacity, factors that some regional actors view with caution.

NATO countries have increasingly deployed F-35s on the alliance’s eastern flank, including in Poland and Romania, in response to tensions with Russia. The jet is expected to remain central to NATO’s air structure for decades.

What comes next

US officials have not signaled any imminent change in their policy regarding Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program. Ankara, meanwhile, continues to seek alternatives to maintain and strengthen its air force. Most recently, Turkey signed a major deal with the UK to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2030.

In the short term Turkey is negotiating for the acquisition of additional Typhoons from Qatar and Oman. Efforts to upgrade its existing F-16 fleet remain ongoing, though approvals for new purchases from the US remain subject to political debate.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s domestic KAAN fifth-generation fighter project has advanced to the testing stage, though full operational capability will require additional years of development.