Turkey doesn't need F-35s to threaten Israel. It's already testing its arsenal in Libya - opinion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced strong opposition to Turkey rejoining the F-35 program, characterizing Ankara as a "regime influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood." He argued that arming Turkey with advanced aircraft would disrupt the regional balance of power, which he believes relies on Israeli air superiority and the U.S. military presence.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a different approach, suggesting his administration would consider lifting sanctions imposed on Turkey in 2019 for purchasing Russian S-400 missile systems. Trump indicated that restoring Turkey's access to the F-35 program was "certainly something we will consider," a statement made alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit.

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a regime influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood

While the F-35 program remains a focus, Israeli security planners are closely observing Turkey's military activities in Libya. Since 2019, Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones have played a significant role in the Libyan conflict, striking Haftar's forces and jamming air defenses. Turkey has also established a military presence, including a naval base and an airbase, which serve as command nodes for its supplied platforms.

This involvement in Libya highlights Turkey's strategy of developing its indigenous defense capabilities, including drone technology, electronic warfare systems, and fighter jet programs. This pursuit of military independence allows Ankara to project regional power and potentially leverage its arsenal, independent of external political conditions, a development that concerns Israeli security planners.

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certainly something we will consider.