Turkey is still in discussions with the United States regarding the potential purchase of F-35 fighter jets and is hopeful for a positive outcome, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.
“Our position on the F-35 issue is well known. Our teams are continuing talks with their US counterparts.
We hope these negotiations will conclude positively,” Erdogan told reporters aboard his return flight from Kazakhstan.
Erdogan also highlighted progress in Turkey’s domestically developed KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, saying the program is advancing steadily and will mark a “new phase” for the country’s defense industry once completed.
He added that KAAN represents only the beginning of Turkey’s ambitions to produce more advanced and powerful weapons systems in the future.
The president further noted rising global interest in Turkey’s defense sector, pointing to the SAHA Expo 2026 in Istanbul, where over 200 new defense products were showcased and deals totaling around $8 billion were signed.
According to Erdogan, the expo attracted more than 150,000 visitors, reflecting the growing strength of Turkey’s defense industry and reinforcing Ankara’s long-term goals in the sector.
