Turkey has hired a Washington-based law firm to lobby President Joe Biden's administration to give back its spot in the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme.

The six-month contract with Arnold & Porter --- worth $750,000 (620,000 euros) and filed with the US Department of Justice on Tuesday -- comes as Turkey seeks to find a solution with Biden over its controversial Russian missile system purchase.

The law firm "will advise on a strategy... to remain within the Joint Strike Fighter Program, taking into consideration and addressing the complex geopolitical and commercial factors at play," the contract says.

Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 programme in 2019 as punishment for its decision to acquire Russian S-400 batteries after failing to come to terms on US Patriots used by most other NATO member states.

Washington slapped Turkey's military procurement agency with sanctions after the S-400s were tested for the first time late last year.

The United States fears that the S-400 systems could help Russia gather intelligence and better shoot down NATO warplanes if fully integrated in Turkish defences.

The Pentagon confirmed earlier this month that it believed the Russian systems were "incompatible" with the F-35 jets and that the sanctions on Turkey would stay in place until the S-400s are removed.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar suggested a compromise solution earlier this month that would see the S-400s boxed up and only deployed when needed.

The State Department appeared to reject that suggestion by saying: "Our policy vis-a-vis the S-400s has not changed."

Biden's administration has assumed a much tougher posture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan than Ankara enjoyed when Donald Trump was in the White House.

Biden has still not called Erdogan and the State Department has sharply rebuked Turkey's human rights record since his swearing in last month.

Turkey was both a parts supplier and buyer of the F-35s.

US officials say the sanctions will still allow the jets' prime contractor Lockheed Martin to honour its outstanding agreements in Turkey.

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LOCKHEED MARTIN

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Biden maintains tough line on Turkey over Russia arms
Washington (AFP) Feb 6, 2021
US President Joe Biden's administration said Friday it wants Turkey to renounce a major Russian missile defense system it controversially bought in 2019, holding the line set by Donald Trump's government, which imposed rare sanctions on the NATO ally. "Our position has not changed," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. "We urge Turkey not to retain the S-400 system." Turkey turned to Russia after failing to agree terms with Barack Obama's administration about the purchase of US Patriots ... read more