New Initiative for F‑35s: Turkey Reaches Deal with U.S. Company

Turkey signed a one‑year agreement with a lobbying firm that has strong connections in Washington to restart deliveries of U.S.-made F‑35 fighter jets. The deal is reported to be worth $2.4 million. It is said that the work aims to increase political and bureaucratic contacts with the U.S. administration and Congress on Turkey’s F‑35 goals.

The agreement's address: Ballard Partners.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, the Turkish Ministry of Defense signed the agreement with Ballard Partners on August 8. The firm will represent Turkey’s interests before the U.S. government and Congress. It will also provide Ankara with regular updates on the congressional agenda and developments in U.S. policy.

Trump Connection Draws Attention

Ballard Partners has strong ties to U.S. President Donald Trump. The company had previously worked with Turkey during Trump’s first presidential term. The 2017 agreement was valued at $1.5 million, and the work was aimed at lifting sanctions on Halkbank against Turkey. It was noted that the allegations against Halkbank were dropped earlier this year.

Ankara’s Target: Six F‑35s

One of Turkey's expectations from Washington is the delivery of six F‑35s that have been held in the United States for years, even though they were produced for Turkish use. It was stated that the new lobbying agreement aims to get these aircraft to Turkey and to strengthen contacts with U.S. authorities on other objectives related to the F‑35 program.

S‑400 Formula on the Agenda

It was reported that Ankara is also considering Russian-made S‑400 air‑defence systems as a way to overcome the blockade Washington has imposed on the F‑35. Last month, it was alleged that Turkey examined the possibility of selling its S‑400 systems to another country, potentially the United Arab Emirates. The option was said to be viewed as a possible step to get Washington to lift the F‑35 sales ban on Turkey.

Ankara's Mission to Washington

The new agreement is presented as part of Turkey's effort to advance its F‑35 file on the U.S. political and bureaucratic agenda. It is also noted that Ballard Partners will regularly brief Ankara on developments in Congress and U.S. policy, a feature included in the agreement.

Critical Expectation in the F‑35 File

Among Turkey's top expectations are the delivery of six F-35s located in ABD and the resumption of progress on the F-35 program. The new lobbying effort in Washington is expected to intensify political contacts to achieve these goals.