US remains opposed to Turkey re-joining F-35 jet programme, State Department says

The US government's opposition to Turkey's reintegration into the F-35 fighter jet programme remains unchanged, the State Department said in a letter on Wednesday.

A group of 40 lawmakers, led by Democrat Chris Pappas, wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the government to prevent Turkey from "continuing to violate US laws and policies related to US national security."

"We have expressed our displeasure with Ankara's acquisition of the S-400 system and have made clear the steps that should be taken as part of our ongoing assessment of the implementation of CAATSA sanctions," the State Department letter said.

"Turkey is a long-time NATO ally with a history of significant contributions to the alliance's missions. The United States' defense relationship with Turkey remains vital to the security interests of both the United States and NATO."

Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme and the country's Defence Industry Agency was sanctioned under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Ankara announced in 2017 it would purchase Russian S-400 missiles.

The US said the missiles were incompatible with NATO technology and posed a risk to the F-35s.

Turkey said it was forced to look elsewhere for missiles systems after the US refused to include technology transfer in a deal to buy American-made Patriot missiles.

Ankara also argued that it was aiming for greater autonomy in its defence procurements, but the purchase of the S400 caused concern among other NATO allies.