Saudi Arabia weighs Turkish KAAN jet as leverage amid F-35 uncertainty | Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly weighing a potential fighter jet deal with Turkey, a move that could recalibrate Riyadh’s long-standing defense dependence on Washington. Ankara’s fifth-generation KAAN jet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, is said to be under serious consideration as Saudi Arabia keeps its procurement options open amid uncertainty over a U.S. F-35 package. Analysts suggest Riyadh’s outreach to Ankara may be less about replacing the U.S. and more about leverage—pressuring Washington for deeper technology transfer, co-production, and a more favorable F-35 arrangement.