Speculation is growing that Turkey will place an order for Boeing jets and Lockheed Martin fighters when the country’s leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump meet this week.
The two presidents are due for talks on September 25, 2025, at the White House where it is expected President Trump and President Erdogan will confirm several mutually beneficial arrangements.
According to Bloomberg, Turkey plans to purchase 100s of Boeing planes and F-16s, while also finding a solution for the possible sale of F-35s.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program by the US in 2019 due to the purchase of Russian S-400 systems.
Italian news outlet Il Sole 24 Ore said that up to 250 commercial aircraft could be part of negotiations with Turkish Airlines expected to be the eventual customer.
“We have been discussing an order with Boeing for some time, but a final decision has not yet been made,” said a spokesperson for Turkish Airlines, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.
President Trump has recently expressed optimism that a deal between the two countries for the F-35 can be found.
“We are working on many Trade and Military Deals with the President, including the large-scale purchase of Boeing aircraft, a major F-16 Deal, and a continuation of the F-35 talks, which we expect to conclude positively. President Erdoğan and I have always had a very good relationship,” said President Trump.
The Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat flew to New York ahead of the summit on September 21, 2025.
“Talks with Boeing and Airbus are always on the table,” Bolat told ekonomim during the flight.
Bloomberg also reported that President Erdogan is hoping to secure production of some F-35 parts in Turkey during negotiations.
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