Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has signed an annual $2.4 million lobbying agreement with Ballard Partners, a Washington-based firm with close ties to former Trump administration officials, to advance Ankara’s efforts to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.
The move follows Turkey’s expulsion from the program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which triggered U.S. sanctions and the suspension of F-35 deliveries. Six Turkish-owned F-35s remain in storage in the United States, and Ankara is now pursuing diplomatic and lobbying channels to secure their release and formal reinstatement.
Why it matters
- The F-35 program is central to Turkey’s air force modernization and long-term defense planning.
- Rejoining the program would help normalize U.S.-Turkey relations, which have been strained over the S-400 issue and regional disagreements.
- Ballard Partners brings experienced lobbyists, including former Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler and Thomas Boodry, who held senior roles in the Trump administration.
- Unlike a 2017 agreement funded through other channels, this contract is directly financed by the Ministry of National Defense, signaling heightened official commitment.
Ballard Partners, based on K Street and recognized as a top federal lobbying firm by revenue, will inform Ankara on Congressional developments and executive branch policies while advocating for F-35 delivery and sanctions relief related to the S-400 dispute. The firm’s access and track record underscore the seriousness of Turkey’s push.
Success could restore Turkey’s combat air capabilities, strengthen NATO burden-sharing, and improve interoperability with allied forces. However, the outcome remains uncertain, subject to U.S. domestic politics, congressional attitudes toward Turkey, and broader geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and NATO’s southern flank.