The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced that it is providing information on the stationing of Turkish military personnel in Saudi Arabia under the Mekke Defense Pact, the ongoing effort to acquire F‑35 fighter jets, and the procurement of C‑130J transport aircraft. The ministry said the deployment will follow legal procedures and will be carried out according to Saudi Arabia’s requirements.
According to the MSB’s statement, any process whereby Turkey supplies forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia will be conducted in line with the Turkish constitution and the relevant legislation. This ensures that the troop deployment respects domestic legal norms.
Tuğamiral Zeki Aktürk, speaking at the press conference, confirmed that talks with U.S. officials concerning the delivery of six F‑35 aircraft produced for Turkey are continuing. The discussions aim to secure the transfer of these jets to the Turkish Air Force.
The ministry noted that the C‑130J transport aircraft will enhance the Turkish armed forces’ air transport capabilities.
During the same briefing, Aktürk expressed the hope that sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) that do not align with alliance spirit will be lifted, both directly and indirectly, so that Turkey’s defense sector can operate without hindrance.
Beyond the F‑35 and CAATSA topics, the MSB statement touched on Turkey’s fight against terrorism, the reinforcement of border security, and the country’s broader international responsibilities. These points were presented as part of Ankara’s overall defense outlook.
The ministry noted that the C‑130J transport aircraft will enhance the Turkish armed forces’ air transport capabilities. Their increased cargo capacity is expected to make a significant contribution to the Turkish Air Force Command.
All of the above announcements were made during an MSB press conference on 15 October 2026. On the same date the ministry issued a formal statement covering the F‑35 fighter jets, the Mekke Defense Agreement, and related defense matters.
Tuğamiral Zeki Aktürk summed up the Ankara position with the remark: "Beklentimiz müttefiklik ruhuyla bağdaşmayan CAATSA yaptırımları ile savunma sanayiimize yönelik doğrudan veya dolaylúm tüm kısıtlamaların kaldırılmasıdır."