Turkey to look for alternatives if US doesn't deliver F-35s

E-Paper | April 27, 2026

Turkey's foreign minister says his country could look “elsewhere” if the US doesn't deliver F-35 fighter jets.

Mevlut Cavusoglu also said in an interview with private NTV television on Tuesday that Turkey could consider acquiring more Russian-made S-400s or other systems to meet urgent needs if it can't purchase US Patriot systems.

Turkey's moves to buy the Russian S-400 technology have heightened tensions with Washington.

US Vice President Mike Pence warned that Turkey was risking its NATO membership and its participation in the F-35 program.

Cavusoglu said: “If F-35s are not delivered, I would be placed in a position to buy the planes I need elsewhere.” He added that a new US offer to sell Patriots was “more rational” than a previous offer, but still didn't meet Turkey's expectations.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 10, 2019 04:20pm

What other options does Turkey has got to safeguard and protect its soverignity, independence and territorial integrity at this crucial juncture in time and history?

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aman

Apr 10, 2019 04:37pm

why do not you built your own ? Why feed billions of dollars to others and depend on others ?

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Iftikhar Husain

Apr 10, 2019 04:56pm

The markets of the world are wide open.

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Mohan

Apr 10, 2019 05:02pm

Where will he go for planes now but to Russia? And didn't he shoot down two Russian planes a couple of years ago? To spite Americans Erdoğan goes to Russians whom he secretly despises.

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Sameer

Apr 10, 2019 05:27pm

How can Turkey not benefit from f35s? Were they not financial partners and a funding party in the project?

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Viq saad

Apr 10, 2019 06:05pm

Turkey can work to diffuse tension between Saudis and Iran. Make them at least come to talking terms, so the arms sale to East may reduce.

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Hafeez, Canada

Apr 10, 2019 06:18pm

How about Jf 17 block 3. Proven fighter.

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Kafi

Apr 10, 2019 06:36pm

@aman, My naive friend if it was that simple to build your own state of the art systems then every country would be doing it. You think countries like to be dependent on others, specially when it comes to defense?

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Hyder

Apr 10, 2019 07:57pm

Sir The US pilots are not happy with the agility of the F35 as compared to F-18 super hornets or F-15s and it is also not that stealth besides being very expensive. Turkey should look for Swedish Gripen or Sukhoi SU-35 as short gap arrangement until it develop its 5th generation fighter. Stay away from US weapons as it will keep on creating hurdles in future!!! Thanks,

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ashok

Apr 10, 2019 08:37pm

Frankly speaking at the moment there are no alternatives to F-35. But even F-35 is a half baked product with astronomical operating cost. Straight edges used in stealth surfaces means compromised aerodynamic performance. US is fooling other countries with a product that is more about marketing than the substance. India is playing smart by not investing a fortune in stealth fighter gimmick. Apart from F-22 all other are toys.

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Must learn

Apr 10, 2019 11:03pm

There’s no alternative to F-35 in present times. Pak too must buy F-35 for equilibrium with Rafale which our neighbor wish to deploy.

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Ali

Apr 10, 2019 11:07pm

Though Turkey is buying extremely expensive American F-35, it is also building its own 5th generation fighter. That will be ready to celebrate Turkey's 100th anniversary in a few years. Turkey has also invited Pakistan to participate in the aircraft development. Russia's T 50 is also the most advanced aircraft under going testing, which Turkey can also acquire. Interestingly, India was originally involved in that Russian project but backed out after PM Modi aligned with USA against Russia and China. Such is unbelievable world politics.

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Maboob Saleem

Apr 11, 2019 12:01am

@Iftikhar Husain, .... Will still don't know how effective the Russian S-400s are. Anyway who is going to launch a missile strike against Turkey. Probably no one. Erdogan just wants to dream up enemies and keep the Turkish people on edge.

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Jamil

Apr 11, 2019 02:52am

@Maboob Saleem, who is probably going to launch missiles at US, but they keep building their military! Stupid comment.,

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Asad

Apr 11, 2019 09:37am

@aman, Simply because of no infrastructure for this high tech and also lack of appropriate brains.

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