The US administration is preparing to proceed with the sale of F-110 jet engines to Turkey, a deal valued at approximately $750 million. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from The Wall Street Journal, the White House intends to move forward with the transaction despite objections from senior lawmakers.
The administration's decision comes despite opposition from Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Meeks had previously placed a hold on the sale, citing concerns over Turkey's continued possession of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, as well as geopolitical tensions involving Syria and Greece. Despite these objections, US officials have confirmed that the sale of engines, intended for Turkey's domestically produced KAAN fighter jets, will proceed. Administration representatives have emphasized the importance of Turkey as a strategic regional partner, while Meeks has criticized the move as an attempt to bypass Congressional oversight.
US officials have defended the administration's position, highlighting the close relationship between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the administration maintains transparent communication with Congress regarding such defense matters. This development follows a long-standing point of contention between the two NATO allies; in 2019, the US removed Turkey from the F-35 program over the S-400 acquisition, arguing the systems were incompatible with NATO standards. Ankara has consistently rejected these claims, advocating for a joint commission to investigate the matter. The issue remains a focal point ahead of the upcoming NATO summit, where President Donald Trump is expected to visit Ankara for discussions with President Erdogan.
