U.S. moves ahead with $700 million engine sale to Türkiye despite opposition

U.S. moves ahead with $700 million engine sale to Türkiye despite opposition
U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., 25 June, 2026
Reuters

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of its intention to sell more than $700 million worth of jet engines to Türkiye. The move drew objections from lawmakers over Ankara’s continued possession of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.

The engines, produced by General Electric, are intended for Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter jet programme, a flagship defence project aimed at reducing reliance on foreign military hardware.

The proposed deal is being viewed as an important signal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of a major NATO summit in Ankara next month.

In its notification to Congress, the U.S. State Department said it had considered “political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control” factors before approving the export.

Trump hinted at broader defence cooperation on Wednesday, saying he would likely do “something” that would make Türkiye “very happy.”

Lawmakers push back

The move has reignited tensions in Washington over Türkiye’s 2019 purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, which led to U.S. sanctions and Ankara’s removal from the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II programme.

Congress previously passed legislation blocking F-35 sales to Türkiye while the S-400 remains in its possession, arguing the Russian system poses a security risk to NATO aircraft.

Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticised the administration for failing to fully brief Congress on the implications of the sale.

Congressional challenge

Congress has 15 days to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval to block the sale, though any such measure would need approval in both chambers and could still face a presidential veto.

Other Democratic lawmakers, including Chris Pappas and Dina Titus, also voiced opposition, warning against broader defence concessions to Türkiye while the S-400 issue remains unresolved. 

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