US President Donald Trump made statements regarding Turkey before the upcoming NATO Summit. Trump stated, 'I will do something that will make Turkey happy.'
Retired Rear Admiral Ali Deniz Kutluk evaluated these statements as being significant from a political perspective but noted that Turkey's military priorities have shifted. Kutluk stated that any possible decisions made by Trump could positively affect the political atmosphere but that Turkey's interest in the F-35 program has diminished.
The F-35 program does not align with Turkey's vision for an independent defense industry due to its technical issues and complete dependence on the US. Turkey has been investing in local defense technologies to move away from this dependency model.
Kutluk said, 'I believe Turkey's interest in the F-35 has ended. Whatever Trump does, it might please the President, but I don't think the military will be very interested in it.'
Retired Rear Admiral Ali Deniz Kutluk stated that Ankara's primary expectation from Washington is not the F-35 but the modernization of F-16s. The delivery of F-16 Block 70 modernization kits, for which Turkey has already paid, has been delayed. Kutluk emphasized the critical importance of completing this process for both the Turkish Air Force and the defense industry.
Regarding the F-16 engine, Turkey's expectation is for the US to release the F-16 engines.
Kutluk highlighted the significance of the engines to be used in the first produced KAAN fighter jets in this process. He noted that the US permitting the export of these engines could accelerate Turkey's transition period.
Retired Rear Admiral Ali Deniz Kutluk stated that even if the engine sale does not occur, Turkey will continue to develop its local capabilities, saying, 'This process might just take a little longer, but Turkey will proceed on its path.'
There is a crowd within America that objects to what the president says.
Kutluk pointed out that despite Trump's statements, there is still a strong group within the US bureaucracy and Congress that maintains a distance from Turkey's defense projects.
Greece thinks with the mindset that anything in favor of Turkey is against them.
