US reportedly plans jet engine sale to Turkey ahead of NATO summit

Ahead of the NATO summit in July, the U.S. administration is reportedly planning to sell dozens of jet engines to Turkey for its first indigenous fighter jet, the "Kaan." This move is being interpreted as a significant goodwill gesture toward Ankara.

The engines, produced by General Electric, are part of a potential military sale exceeding $700 million, according to sources familiar with the matter. While the sale is expected to be well-received in Turkey, analysts suggest it falls short of Ankara's ultimate objective: rejoining the F-35 fighter jet development program.

"While obtaining these engines is certainly very important for Turkey, this is just the easiest step for a U.S. administration that once made bigger promises to Ankara, including allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program," said Gonul Tol, director of the Turkey Studies Program at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

U.S. law requires Turkey to forgo operating or possessing Russian S-400 air defense missile systems to rejoin the F-35 program. Despite this, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack mentioned last December that the personal relationship between President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan facilitated discussions on the issue.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the reports. The potential sale comes as Turkey seeks to bolster its domestic defense industry and navigate complex geopolitical relationships within NATO.

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While obtaining these engines is certainly very important for Turkey, this is just the easiest step for a U.S. administration that once made bigger promises to Ankara, including allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program.