Due to Russian S-400 systems.. US-Turkidh relations strained & Erdogan: F-35 Project Without Turkey, supposed to fail
Relations between Turkey and the US have been strained since Ankara made it clear that it would proceed with purchasing Russian S-400 systems. The move prompted the US to suspend its delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday atĀ a defence industry fair that a multinational project onĀ the development ofĀ the F-35 Lightning II would collapse withoutĀ Turkey taking part inĀ it.
“When we felt the need forĀ missile defense systems, we turned toĀ the allies, butĀ did not receive the necessary response. Therefore, we reached an agreement withĀ Russia onĀ the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. Now [the allies] are trying toĀ exclude us fromĀ the F-35 project. Without Turkey, this project will suffer great damage,” Erdogan said atĀ the opening ofĀ the international defense industry exhibition IDEF-2019 inĀ Istanbul.
The statement comes amidĀ a row betweenĀ Washington and Ankara overĀ the latter’s decision toĀ purchase Russian S-400 air defence systems.
Washington has repeatedly voiced concerns that if Turkey acquires both S-400s and F-35s, it will jeopardise US or NATO military equipment, sinceĀ it would allegedly provide Russian experts withĀ key insights intoĀ sensitive information related toĀ the warplane’s technology.
Ankara, forĀ its part, has maintained that the S-400sĀ were not connected toĀ the securityĀ ofĀ NATO, the US or the F-35 inĀ any way. Despite Ankara’s explanation onĀ the issue, Washington has decided toĀ stop deliveries ofĀ F-35 fighter jet parts toĀ Turkey.
Russia and Turkey sealed the $2.5 billion S-400 deal inĀ December 2017, having signed a loan agreement forĀ the shipment ofĀ a total ofĀ four batteries. The first delivery is scheduled forĀ July 2019, according toĀ Turkish authorities.
