RFE/RLTue, 02 Apr 2019 20:26 UTC
© TASSTurkey has said it is committed to a deal to buy S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia.
The United States says it is halting deliveries to Turkey related to the F-35 fighter-jet program in response to Ankara's decision to move ahead with the purchase of Russian air-defense system.
"Pending an unequivocal Turkish decision to forgo delivery of the S-400, deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability have been suspended while
our dialogue on this important matter continues with Turkey," a Pentagon spokesperson said on April 1.
Washington has been warning Ankara for months that buying the S-400 system would jeopardize its planned purchase of the advanced fighter aircraft.
Ankara has refused to back down on its planned purchase.
On March 29, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country was committed to the deal to buy the Russian system and was discussing delivery dates.
Russia media reported that Turkey intended to buy four S-400 units for a price of $2.5 billion.
Washington has also said it could withdraw an offer to sell Turkey the U.S. air-defense equivalent -- the Patriot missile system.
Comment: Sputnik
reports Turkey was actually manufacturing parts for US F-35s and so their futile attempts to coerce Turkey into exclusive deals that would isolate Russia have backfired; an increasingly common occurrence:
Pentagon Working on Secondary Supply Sources for Turkish-Made F-35 Parts
The US Defence Department is searching for new sources to replace Turkish-made F-35 aircraft parts after Washington suspended activities associated with Turkey's F-35 operational capability, Pentagon spokesperson Charles Summers said in a statement.
"The United States has been clear that Turkey's acquisition of the S-400 is unacceptable," Summers said on Monday. "Therefore, the DoD has initiated steps necessary to ensure prudent program planning and resiliency of the F-35 supply chain. Secondary sources of supply for Turkish-produced parts are now in development."
The Pentagon said on Monday that the United States suspended deliveries and activities associated with Turkey's F-35 operational capability due to Ankara's decision to purchase the Russian missile defence systems.
"We very much regret the current situation facing our F-35 partnership with Turkey, and the DoD is taking prudent steps to protect the shared investments made in our critical technology," Summers said on Monday. "Our important dialogue on this matter will continue, however, until they forgo delivery of the S-400, the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability. Should Turkey procure the S-400, their continued participation in the F-35 program is at risk."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided not to abandon plans to buy the Russian system despite US claims that the S-400s may compromise the security of their F-35s. Commenting on the planned purchase, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara purchases Russia's S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems for its own needs and there will be no reselling. According to the Turkish official, Ankara will receive the military equipment from Moscow in July.
See also:
Comment: Sputnik reports Turkey was actually manufacturing parts for US F-35s and so their futile attempts to coerce Turkey into exclusive deals that would isolate Russia have backfired; an increasingly common occurrence: See also: