US senators have said Türkiye’s return to the F-35 fighter jet programme would be a positive step for both Ankara and Washington while stressing the need to strengthen NATO’s defence industry capacity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Jeanne Shaheen, Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said the issue could move forward if a solution addresses concerns over Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defence system, which previously triggered Ankara’s removal from the programme.
Shaheen noted a return would be positive if a solution eliminates the threat posed by the S-400 to F-35 technology.
She added that the US Congress views the relationship with Türkiye positively because of Türkiye’s role in NATO.
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