Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in negotiations with US President Donald Trump to secure the release of F-35 jets, as part of Turkey’s strategy to enhance its Air Force, Dr. Remi Daniel, an expert on Turkey at the Institute for National Security Studies, discussed on 103FM.
"This is an important issue, as Turkey is a significant regional power in the Middle East," Daniel explained.
However, he pointed out one key vulnerability: "Turkey's weakness lies in its air force, specifically in terms of its outdated fleet of aircraft and missiles. This has been an ongoing issue for Turkey for several years.
They were initially slated to receive American F-35 jets, but after purchasing Russian missiles in the late 2010s, the US removed them from the project, leaving Turkey with obsolete aircraft."
He also addressed Israel’s operations and air superiority: "Following operations such as those with Operation Rising Lion and the Israeli Air Force's dominance in the skies, the Turks have recognized the importance of having a strong air force, especially in relation to Israel and Syria."
He added, "Another factor causing concern in Turkey is Greece’s revitalized air force, while Turkey has been struggling to find an advantage in this domain for the past six years."
"Turkey's growing military power poses increasing challenges," Daniel continued. "There's a notable gap between Erdogan's public statements and what’s actually taking place on the ground. For example, there were concerns over what might happen in Syria, but through various channels, we’ve managed to avoid significant friction with Turkey."
"Erdogan is becoming stronger, largely due to his close relationship with Trump and the strategic importance of Turkey to European powers," Daniel noted.
Congress has a close watch on Erdogan
"There’s the issue of Congress, which is important. Turkey is usually at a disadvantage in Congress due to the influence of the Greek and Armenian lobbies. Members of Congress are closely watching what Erdogan says," Daniel clarified.
"However, Turkey is a nation that has always been strong. With the second-largest army in NATO, Turkey’s military influence is significant. They first invested in their navy and became a regional power. If they succeed in strengthening their air force, this will mark a drastic shift in the region, directly impacting Israel as well as Israel's allies like Cyprus and Greece."