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Ankara recruits a lobbying firm linked to Trump, Turkey seeks F-35 fighter jets at any "price"

2026-08-27 18:23:34Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Ankara recruits a lobbying firm linked to Trump, Turkey seeks F-35 fighter jets

Turkey resumes lobbying in the US for F-35 , signs $2.4 million contract with Trump-linked company

Turkey is intensifying efforts to return to the F-35 fighter jet program, engaging a powerful lobbying firm in Washington with close ties to President Donald Trump.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has signed a one-year contract worth $2.4 million with Ballard Partners, according to documents filed with the US Department of Justice.

The agreement, signed on August 8, provides for the payment of $200,000 per month for relations services with the US government, strategic advice and representation of Ankara's interests before federal institutions.

The firm will also be tasked with informing the Turkish government on developments in the US Congress and US policy, in an effort to create the necessary conditions for Turkey's return to the F-35 program.

Ballard Partners is led by Brian Ballard, a prominent Republican from Florida and Trump supporter, who has also worked on the US president's campaigns.

The company has a history of working with Ankara. In 2017, during Trump's first term, Turkey hired Ballard Partners with a $1.5 million contract.

The firm has significantly strengthened its activity in Washington. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, its revenue from federal lobbying activities exceeded $30 million.

Among those who have worked with the company are Susan Wiles, the current White House chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former US attorney general.

The team handling the Turkey issue also includes former Democratic congressman Robert Wexler and Thomas Bundry, who served as a special assistant to Trump and senior director for legislative affairs at the National Security Council.

Ankara was excluded from the US F-35 program in 2019 after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system.

Washington argued that the use of the Russian system posed a risk to the safety of advanced US aircraft technology.

Despite the exclusion, Turkey has continued to seek re-entry into the program. Ankara also claims that six F-35 jets built for it are still stored in the United States.

To pave the way for the return, various scenarios have been discussed, including the possibility of Turkey giving up the S-400 systems or transferring them to a third country.

The new contract with Ballard Partners shows that Ankara is also trying to use lobbying channels in Washington to convince Congress and the US administration to return to the F-35 program.


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