Trump Notifies Congress of $700 Million Jet Engine Sale to Turkey

The Donald Trump administration has formally notified the U.S. Congress of its intent to sell General Electric F-110 jet engines to Turkey in a deal valued at over $700 million. These engines will power the KAAN, Turkey's first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, serving as a critical propulsion source while Ankara develops its own domestic engines. The move is a diplomatic gesture ahead of a NATO summit that Turkey will host in Ankara on July 7-8.

President Trump framed the sale as a reward for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to remain neutral during recent U.S.-led military strikes against Iran. Beyond the engine sale, the administration is reviewing Turkey's potential reentry into the F-35 stealth fighter program. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is evaluating whether Turkey has complied with American law following its 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which originally led to Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 consortium.

The decision has sparked a standoff with U.S. congressional leaders. Representative Gregory Meeks and other Democratic lawmakers oppose the sale, arguing that Turkey's possession of the S-400 systems compromises Western defense security. Meeks accused the administration of bypassing congressional review and ignoring oversight authority. Congress now has 15 days to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval to block the transaction, though the president could veto such a measure.