Sinan Ciddi, an expert on Turkish politics at the neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies, questioned why the Biden administration is eager to bring Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet programme without resolving Ankara’s continued use of the Russian-made S-400 missile system, in a podcast interview with The Greek Current. “What’s the rush? I mean, why the issue?” Ciddi asked, pointing to the strategic risks posed by Turkey’s refusal since 2019 to divest itself of the S-400.
Ciddi stressed that the S-400 system, which Turkey acquired from Russia, presents a serious threat to NATO security as it could have the ability to collect sensitive data on the F-35. Turkey’s involvement in the F-35 programme was terminated for this reason, and Ciddi argued that Ankara’s return to the programme without addressing this issue could undermine NATO’s security. “The S-400 issue should be the starting point of talks, not the endpoint where we just say, ‘Thanks, now have some F-35s,’” he added.
While the Biden administration may be motivated by logistical concerns — such as difficulties in finding alternative suppliers for Turkish-made F-35 components — Ciddi warned that broader issues should be addressed. Turkey’s foreign policy actions, including its support for Hamas and military operations in Syria, continue to cause tension within NATO. These issues, along with Turkey’s S-400 acquisition, make its reintegration into the F-35 programme controversial.
