New Images of Turkish F-35s Awaiting in the US Have Emerged
New developments are unfolding regarding the F-35 fighter jets that Turkey previously purchased but were never delivered. Current images shared by defense industry sources show the F-35 aircraft produced for the Turkish Air Force being held at a storage facility in the United States.
As a partner in the F-35 program, Turkey had ordered a total of 100 aircraft. However, following political processes in 2019, Turkey's partnership in the program was suspended. As a result of this decision, the completed aircraft were not delivered to Turkey and were placed under protection on U.S. soil.
The latest images shared show that the aircraft are being kept under protection in special outdoor areas rather than in hangars. Experts state that these aircraft have been packed using special methods for long-term storage and that their technical maintenance is carried out regularly. The Turkish Air Force markings on the aircraft continue to draw attention.
This situation remains a significant issue in terms of defense industry relations between Turkey and the U.S. While Turkey focuses on domestic projects to meet its own defense needs, the uncertainty regarding the future of the F-35 aircraft has yet to be resolved.
In summary, the aircraft produced for the Turkish Air Force but not delivered continue to maintain their place on the international defense agenda. Officials state that diplomatic negotiations and technical evaluations regarding the matter are ongoing.