The Trump administration is moving ahead with a proposed $750 million sale of F-110 jet engines to Türkiye for its KAAN fighter jet programme, despite opposition from a senior Democratic lawmaker.
The decision comes as Washington highlights its relationship with Ankara, with the administration describing Türkiye as a “great partner in the region.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the administration plans to proceed with the deal after Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, placed a hold on the proposed sale. Meeks raised concerns over Türkiye’s continued possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, as well as Ankara’s positions on issues involving Syria and Greece.
The administration has notified Congress of its intention to continue with the engine sale, pointing to President Trump’s close relationship with Turkish President Erdoğan as a factor behind the decision. A US administration official defended the move, saying, “The administration always maintains maximum transparency with Congress,” and added that Ambassador Barrack and other officials had provided briefings to lawmakers on the matter.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump suggested that he could take a decision that would make Türkiye “very happy” when questioned about Ankara’s request for F-35 fighter jets and related jet engines.
The United States removed Türkiye from the F-35 programme in 2019 following Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 system, arguing that the defence system could compromise the security of the fighter jets and conflict with NATO defence standards. Washington also imposed sanctions on several Turkish defence entities under CAATSA.
Türkiye has consistently rejected claims of incompatibility, maintaining that the S-400 issue does not create a conflict and proposing the establishment of a commission to examine the matter. Ankara has argued that access to advanced fighter capabilities would strengthen both Türkiye’s defence and NATO’s security interests.
The possible engine agreement is being viewed as a potential sign of improving defence ties between Washington and Ankara ahead of the NATO summit in Türkiye.
