Four Greek-American members of the US Congress have expressed strong concern over a proposed sale of fighter jet engines to Turkey valued at more than $700 million, warning that Ankara remains a destabilising force in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a joint statement, Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Haridopoulos and Jimmy Patronis said they were in active contact with the US administration and the leadership of the House of Representatives to obtain further information on the reported deal and to express firm opposition to any potential reintegration of Turkey into the F-35 programme without full compliance with the CAATSA sanctions law (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).
Their intervention follows an official notification received by Congress from the Trump administration regarding its intention to approve the sale of engines worth more than $700 million to Turkey.
According to Reuters, the engines are intended for Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet programme. The issue has triggered concern in Congress over both the substance of the sale and the oversight process for major defence exports.
The dispute is linked to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 programme after it acquired the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.
Washington has argued that Turkey cannot simultaneously operate the Russian system and the US fifth-generation fighter jet, while CAATSA sanctions and related restrictions remain central to ongoing discussions on US–Turkey defence relations.
The four lawmakers said they were following the matter closely as Greek-American members of Congress and reiterated concerns that Turkey continues to act as a destabilising actor in the region.
In their statement, they cited Ankara’s maritime disputes, its continued occupation of Cyprus, and its rhetoric towards Israel.
They also said the Eastern Mediterranean has the potential to become a hub for trade, energy cooperation and regional stability, and noted their support for initiatives promoting that goal.
However, they warned that Turkey’s rhetoric and actions increasingly threaten key US allies and risk undermining regional stability.
The lawmakers also raised concerns over Turkey’s reported hosting of Hamas and its refusal, as they claim, to impose sanctions on Russia, describing these positions as “deeply troubling”.
The intervention highlights ongoing political tensions in Congress over US defence cooperation with Turkey amid disputes over the S-400 system, CAATSA sanctions and Ankara’s potential return to the F-35 programme.