US-Turkey relations strained over F-35 program participation

Despite these measures, Turkey pursued its own air defense capabilities and ultimately chose Russia's S-400 system over Western alternatives like the Patriot or European SAMP-T systems. This decision led to a series of disputes with the U.S., culminating in Turkey's removal from the F-35 program.

"Turkey was a partner in the development of the F-35 program and invested billions in it," notes an official source. "It planned to purchase 100 F-35A fighters and produce various parts for the jets." However, due to security concerns about operating F-35s alongside Russian systems, "the United States will not tolerate its prized fifth-generation fighter jet flying where a Russian system can potentially gather information on how to defeat it."

The first batch of F-35As intended for Turkey was built and Turkish crews were training on them in the U.S., but their export was halted before they could be transferred.

In recent years, there have been suggestions that "the US has proposed that Turkey hand over the S-400s or place them under US supervision at Incirlik Air Base." Nonetheless, "Turkey seems to have rejected this offer," insisting on maintaining control over its defense systems without American oversight.

Meanwhile, as part of broader efforts to secure advanced military technology independently, Turkey is developing its own fighter jet known as KAAN. However, experts assert that no current fighter jets match the capabilities of the F-35 due to its sophisticated sensors and networking abilities.