Erdogan says he discussed defence cooperation with Trump

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he and the United States have discussed defence industry cooperation, including projects for warships, submarines, and frigates. “We have discussed defence industry cooperation with US President Donald Trump, specifically, we discussed ships, submarines, and frigates,” Erdogan told reporters in Ankara, Turkiye, on Wednesday. Despite differences in recent years, Turkiye and the US have continued their dialogue on defence industry cooperation. In addition to the supply of F-16 fighter jets and Ankara’s potential return to the F-35 programme, the two countries are also exploring prospects for cooperation in the naval sector, including the construction of surface vessels and submarines, as well as joint defence technology development. Erdogan said Trump took a positive stance on the supply of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, and Ankara hopes Washington will fulfil its earlier promise. However, Trump later reiterated on Tuesday that the US has not yet made a final decision regarding the possible sale of F-35 jets to Turkiye.