US President Donald Trump landed in Ankara on Tuesday for the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, immediately signalling a dramatic shift in US-Turkey relations by vowing to lift sanctions on Ankara and consider selling F-35 fighter jets to the NATO ally — moves that could reshape the alliance's internal dynamics and regional balance of power.
The two-day summit hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Beştepe Presidential Complex comes at a pivotal moment for the transatlantic alliance. NATO leaders are grappling with the fallout from the US-Iran war, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine now in its fifth year, and growing uncertainty about America's long-term commitment to European defence under Trump's leadership.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has outlined three core priorities for the Ankara summit — increasing allied defence investment, bolstering transatlantic defence industrial production, and supporting Ukraine — said the gathering would showcase "tens of billions of dollars of new defence contracts" aimed at demonstrating that European allies are strengthening their own capabilities.
Trump's Bold Offer: F-35 Jets and Sanctions Relief for Turkey
In his most consequential announcement on Turkish soil, Trump told reporters that he would consider allowing Turkey to purchase American F-35 stealth fighter jets — a privilege Ankara lost in 2019 after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system. The decision had previously been blocked by US law under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
"Turkey has been more helpful on Iran than other NATO countries," Trump said, adding that the US has an "obligation" to maintain engines for planes Turkey had already purchased. The president went further, stating that his administration is working to lift sanctions on Turkey entirely, declaring "it's time."
The announcement immediately rattled allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that an F-35 sale to Turkey would "upset the regional balance of power," while several members of the US Congress signalled they would scrutinise the deal closely. Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 programme in 2019 after acquiring the S-400 system, which Washington argued could compromise the aircraft's stealth technology and was incompatible with NATO defences.
Multi-Billion-Dollar Defence Projects Unveiled
The alliance used the opening day of the summit to unveil a series of major defence industrial initiatives designed to demonstrate that European allies are converting their increased spending pledges into real military capability. Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed an agreement to establish Europe's first joint centre of excellence for ATACMS missile production. Seven NATO members agreed to create a shared fleet of Airbus A400M military transport aircraft, while multiple allies committed to jointly producing standardised NATO 155 mm loitering munitions.
The Defence Industry Forum, the largest such event in NATO's history, brought together government officials and defence contractors to accelerate procurement and industrial cooperation. NATO has set a new target for allies to invest 5% of GDP in defence by 2035, including 3.5% for core military spending. Ahead of the summit, Rutte highlighted that European allies and Canada have collectively spent an additional $1.2 trillion on defence over the past decade.
Ukraine, Iran, and the Future of the Alliance
Beyond the defence industry announcements, the summit's agenda is dominated by three intersecting crises: the war in Ukraine, the US-Iran conflict, and growing transatlantic friction over burden-sharing. Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday to discuss continued military aid and the path to a ceasefire, after speaking with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 4.
The US launched strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets on the eve of the summit, re-imposing oil sanctions that have driven crude prices sharply higher — a move that several European allies criticised for lacking prior consultation. Some allies, including Spain, France, and Italy, have reportedly restricted US access to their airspace and military bases for offensive operations against Iran, a decision that Trump has described as "not helpful" and which has fuelled his threats to reconsider America's NATO membership.
What the Summit Means for India
For India, the Ankara summit carries significant implications. The US lifting of CAATSA sanctions on Turkey could signal a broader shift in Washington's approach to countries that maintain defence ties with Russia — a question that directly affects India's procurement of Russian S-400 systems and its long-standing defence partnership with Moscow. Additionally, the NATO summit's focus on defence industrial cooperation and supply chain resilience could accelerate European defence partnerships with Indo-Pacific allies, potentially opening new avenues for India-EU defence trade — paralleling India's evolving trade and economic partnerships during global uncertainty.
The summit also takes place against the backdrop of India's growing strategic partnership with the US and Europe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump at the G7 summit in June, where discussions covered defence cooperation, trade, and the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. The evolving NATO posture in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly through alliances with Australia, Japan, and South Korea, also has direct bearing on India's strategic calculus.
Turkey's Regional Ambitions and the Erdogan-Trump Dynamic
The personal rapport between Trump and Erdogan has been a defining feature of the summit. Erdogan personally welcomed Trump at Esenboga Airport before the US leader headed to the summit venue — an unusual gesture that underscored the importance Ankara places on rebuilding trust with Washington. Turkey has sought to reassert its regional influence in the wake of the Syria conflict, the Gaza war, and its role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire.
Erdogan's warm ties with Trump have offered Ankara a strategic edge, with analysts noting that Turkey's cooperation on issues ranging from Black Sea security to counterterrorism has made it an indispensable partner for Washington even as democratic concerns persist.
Key Takeaways
- Trump promises to lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey and consider F-35 sales
- NATO unveils multi-billion-dollar defence projects including ATACMS production in Europe, shared A400M fleet, and loitering munitions
- Summit addresses Ukraine support, Iran conflict fallout, and defence spending targets
- India watches closely as CAATSA precedent shifts and Indo-Pacific defence architecture evolves
- NATO sets new 5% of GDP defence spending target by 2035
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump agree to lift sanctions on Turkey?
Trump stated that Turkey had been "more helpful" on Iran than other NATO allies and that it was "time" to resolve the sanctions issue. The decision reflects the strategic importance of Turkey's geographic position and its role in NATO operations.
Can Congress block the F-35 sale to Turkey?
Yes. The sale requires congressional approval, and several lawmakers have already signalled opposition. Under US law, Turkey's possession of the Russian S-400 system remains a statutory barrier to rejoining the F-35 programme.
How does the NATO summit affect India?
The summit's outcomes on CAATSA enforcement, defence industrial cooperation, and Indo-Pacific engagement have direct implications for India's defence partnerships and its strategic autonomy in balancing ties with the US, Russia, and Europe.
