Six stored F‑35A jets earmarked for Turkey as re‑entry roadmap outlined

Six F‑35A Lightning II aircraft produced for the Turkish Air Force are stored in the United States after Turkey was removed from the programme in 2019, and a four‑step roadmap has been outlined for Turkey’s re‑entry, beginning with delivery of these aircraft.

Turkey had originally received the first six jets in 2018 and began pilot training, had planned an initial order of 30 aircraft and a total of 100, and has paid $1.4 billion to date; the roadmap also includes a new 30‑aircraft order, return of Turkish firms to the production partnership, and supply of domestic munitions such as the SOM‑J missile to the global F‑35 fleet.