EFES 2026: Turkiye to NATO? or NATO to Turkiye? / Chapter III
The Turkish Armed Forces completed the Efes 2026 Exercise. Turkish defence industry product weapons and systems were extensively used during the operation.
f-35 News
Analysis
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
Air
Bilateral Relations
US envoy signals S-400 path, keeps F-35 option alive
Washington repeats near-term messaging on S-400 sanctions, signalling political flexibility while keeping the F-35 option alive amid rising regional tensions.
Air
Iran claims air defence hit US F-35 over its territory
Iran says its air-defence systems struck a F-35 during a combat mission over its territory. The aircraft managed an emergency landing at a base in the region.
Air
Weapon / Missile
Japan Takes Delivery of JSM Cruise Missiles for F-35 Fighters
The Japanese MoD announced the delivery of Joint Strike Missile (JSM) cruise missiles, specifically developed to fit inside F-35 internal bays, from Norway.
Air
Weapon / Missile
USAF Looks for Stand-in Attack Weaponry for New Aircraft
A new release from SAM.gov states that the USAF is looking for stand-in attack weapons to provide rapid strike capabilities for F-47 fighters and B-21 bombers.
Bilateral Relations
Defence Politics
Erdoğan and Trump Meet to Discuss F-35, F-16, and CAATSA
US President Donald Trump stated that the future of F-35, F-16 CAATSA will be discussed during the meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Air
Bilateral Relations
Defence Politics
Turkiye Prioritises Missile and Air Defence Systems
Iran’s hypersonic missiles breaching Israel’s air shield after retaliating for an Israeli strike has made layered defence Türkiye’s new strategic priority.
Air
Regional / Strategy
Defence Politics
Erdoğan Agrees NATO Defence Spending to Reach 5% Of GDP
Erdoğan tells the NATO summit that Türkiye would raise its defence expenditure in 10 years, and the money will come exclusively from the national budget.
Bilateral Relations
Defence Politics
Erdoğan and Trump Meet on the sidelines of the NATO
Leaders stress cooperation on defence, trade, and regional stability at NATO summit in The Hague. Turkiye has F-35, F-16 Block 70 and CAATSA on defence agenda.
Air
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
Turkish Tanker Fuels F-35A, Hinting at US Ties Thaw
Turkish KC-135 tanker aircraft’s refuelling of a Danish F-35A during the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercise might be another improvement in Turkish- US relations.
Air
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
German Issues Regarding US Control of F-35 Jets Develop
Claims of a US "kill switch" in F-35 aircraft cause questions in Germany, hence sparking discussions on military sovereignty and operational autonomy.
Navy / Maritime
Air
Lockheed Martin is Excluded from the US Navy's NGAD Program
US Navy eliminated LM from the Next Generation Air Dominance programme, therefore restricting the sixth-generation fighter race to Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
Air
NGAD's Fate Left to the Trump Administration
After a change in direction for the USAF's NGAD fighter programme, the service left the decision to proceed to the next administration.
Air
Bilateral Relations
State Department for F-35: Conditions Remain Unchanged
U.S. State Department: "Everyone knows the conditions required for the supply of F-35s to Turkiye, and our policy has not changed." in response to Turkish MoD.
Air
Weapon / Missile
Modernisation
Turkiye Changes its F-16 Block 70 and F-35 Strategy
Speaking at the Committee on Plan and Budget, Turkish Minister of Defence Yaşar Güler signalled a possible change of strategy on F-35 fighters and F-16s.
Analysis
Air
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
Regional / Strategy
NATO's Red Flag Against Russia: Ramstein Flag
The balances have changed after Russia’s attempt to invade Ukraine. NATO tries to respond with the Ramstein Flag Exercise.
