Why Trump’s F-35 Offer to Turkey Has Israel on Edge and India Watching Closely

US President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system and indicated that Washington is open to selling Ankara the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter. While no final decision has been made, the move has sparked concern in Israel and is likely to be closely watched in India due to Turkey’s growing defence ties with Pakistan.Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme in 2019 and sanctioned under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in 2020 after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 system. The US had argued that operating both systems together could expose the F-35’s stealth capabilities.Following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump announced that the sanctions would be lifted, saying relations with Turkey had improved and that the US would consider supplying the advanced fighter jet. Defence expert Sandeep Unnithan said the move reflects Washington’s attempt to rebuild strategic ties with Turkey because of its crucial geographic position connecting Europe and Asia.The proposal has alarmed Israel, which fears that Turkish possession of the F-35 could undermine its long-standing air superiority in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed the deal, arguing that providing fifth-generation fighter jets to Turkey would upset the regional military balance.The development also carries significance for India. Turkey has steadily expanded defence cooperation with Pakistan through military exercises and exports of drones and naval platforms. Ankara also drew attention after reportedly providing drones and military personnel to Islamabad during Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack.Although Turkey’s acquisition of the F-35 is yet to be finalised, the potential deal signals a major shift in US-Turkey relations and could reshape the strategic balance in the Middle East and South Asia, making it a development that both Israel and India are likely to monitor closely.