Greece has publicly voiced its strongest concern yet over the possibility that the Trump administration could pave the way for Turkey’s return to the F-35 fighter-jet program. Advanced American weapons should never be used against fellow NATO allies, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Thursday.
Greece “would not welcome” Turkey receiving either the F-35 or engines for next-generation Turkish Kaan stealth fighter jets, he said during The Economist’s 30th Annual Government Roundtable in Athens.
Nevertheless, the decision ultimately rests with Washington, Dendias said.
“We are simply asking one question,” he said. “Is this truly in the interest of the United States? That is for the US government and the American people to decide.”
Any transfer of advanced military platforms within NATO should include restrictions that prevent their use against another alliance member, Dendias said.
“NATO, and particularly stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, is of fundamental importance to the United States,” he said. “Providing such a platform without the condition that it cannot be used against another allied state raises the question of whether that truly serves American interests.”
It should be “a basic principle” that military platforms sold to NATO members are never be used against fellow allies, Dendias said.
F-35 should only be sold if guarantee given not to use it against allies
Earlier on Thursday, a Greek senior diplomatic official said weapons sold by one ally to another “cannot be used against a fellow ally,” underscoring concern by Athens that a future Turkish F-35 fleet could alter the military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece is expected to receive its first F35s in 2028.
Greece cannot dictate the defense procurement decisions of third countries, but it has both the right and the obligation to present its security concerns to Washington, particularly given Turkey’s longstanding declaration that any unilateral extension of Greek territorial waters in the Aegean Sea would be considered a casus belli, the senior diplomatic official said.
Although acknowledging that Greece has no ability to impose conditions on a US arms sale, Athens had raised the issue “through every available diplomatic channel,” the official added.
Erdogan dismisses Greece, Israel's worries
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed objections by Greece and Israel to a potential F-35 sale, saying there was “no place” for such opposition.
“Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis should not have made the mistake of opposing Turkey’s purchase of the aircraft,” he said. “We have the right to acquire aircraft and defensive equipment, and we are holding talks on this matter.”
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to allude to Turkey during a speech.
“The war has not yet ended,” he said. “Alongside the old challenges, new challenges are emerging. We are paying close attention to them and are prepared for every scenario. Preserving Israel’s air superiority is a fundamental pillar of our national security.”
Despite renewed optimism in Ankara following talks between US President Donald Trump and Erdogan, Greek officials said Turkey remained far from rejoining the program.
According to the Greek senior diplomatic official, Turkey has yet to secure any tangible breakthrough, because the legal and political pathway remains highly restrictive.
He cited the requirement that Ankara must first prove it no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 air-defense system before any process to restore its eligibility for the F-35 program could begin. Even then, changes to US legislation – including provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act – would likely be required, the official said.
Turkey was removed from the multinational F-35 program in 2019 after receiving delivery of the Russian S-400 system. Operating both systems simultaneously could compromise sensitive F-35 technology, the US said.