Turkey Closer to Clearing Way for F-35s, Says Trump Ally Barrack

A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet.Photographer: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

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By Paul Wallace and Beril Akman

December 5, 2025 at 6:54 AM UTC

Updated on

December 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM UTC

Turkey is closer to removing a Russian missile-defense system that’s been a source of tension with other NATO members and prevented it from being able to buy American F-35 stealth jets, according to a key ally of Donald Trump.

While Turkey isn’t using the Russian S-400 system, it is still in possession of the missiles, radar and other equipment that come with it.