How the US punished Turkey for buying Russian planes

The United States has suspended deliveries of equipment for the F-35 fighter jets to Turkey in connection with the decision of Ankara to acquire the Russian C-400 anti-aircraft missile system. Washington demanded Turkey to abandon C-400, writes Air force.

Фото: Depositphotos

“Until Turkey makes a clear decision to refuse to purchase the Russian S-400, activities related to maintaining the combat readiness of the Turkish F-35 will cease,” said US Department of Defense spokesman Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Andrews. “But our dialogue with Turkey on this important topic will continue.”

Washington has repeatedly warned Ankara that the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system poses a security threat to the F-35. Turkey is a US partner in the production of the F-35 stealth fighter-bomber, along with other NATO countries. Turkey received the first two F-35s in June 2018; in total, Ankara ordered 100 F-35A fighters (the simplest, lightest and cheapest modification of the F-35).

The Pentagon explained the rejection of deliveries to Turkey by the need to ensure that the country's possible withdrawal from the F-35 program would not affect the delivery of fighters to other countries. Turkey manufactures fuselage parts, chassis and displays for the fighter cockpit. Reuters sources familiar with the F-35 manufacturing process and the US opinion on this issue argue that another country can replace Turkey in the production chain.

“We deeply regret the current situation facing our F-35 partnership program, but the Department of Defense is taking reasonable steps to protect the joint investment that has been made in our critical technology,” said Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Charles Summers. He called Turkey's decision to purchase the S-400 from Moscow unacceptable. The US, he said, has taken precautions to ensure the sustainability of the F-35 production chain. The Pentagon is currently looking for other sources of supplies for fighter jets to replace Turkey, Summers said.

Earlier on Monday, Reuters, citing sources, reported that the United States had taken the “first concrete step” over Ankara’s plans to buy the Russian S-400 system and suspended the supply of equipment for Turkish F-35 fighters.

Sources Reuters and Bloomberg, on condition of anonymity, reported that this was about stopping the supply of Ankara simulators, on which Turkish pilots were supposed to learn how to fly the F-35.

The Pentagon announced the decision to stop supplies to Turkey of components for the joint fighter production program on the eve of the summit of NATO foreign ministers this week. The head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Mevlüt авavuşoлуlu, should also take part in it.

The United States and its NATO allies fear that the C-400 radar will learn to track the F-35 stealth technology, which will make the fighter vulnerable to the Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

The State Department warned Turkey back in April 2018 about the consequences of acquiring the S-400 from Moscow. In particular, Ankara was threatened with sanctions under the CAATSA law (“Countering America’s Enemies Through Sanctions”).

Photo: Kremlin official site /kremlin.ru

In 2017, Turkey signed a contract with Russia for the supply of S-400 systems for $2,5 billion. This was the first contract concluded by a NATO member country for the supply of Russian weapons. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in February that he had no plans to cancel it. “There is no question of turning back. It's done,” he said.

“We have made it clear that we will not sit idly by while NATO allies acquire weapons from our adversaries. We will not be able to defend the West if our allies depend on arms purchases in the East,” US Vice President Mike Pence responded to his statement then.

The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft systems are currently in service only with the Russian army. Contracts for their supply have been concluded with China, Turkey and India, and negotiations are underway with Saudi Arabia. Deliveries of the S-400 to Turkey are scheduled for July.

Read also on ForumDaily:

8 troubling questions about the consequences of breaking the rocket agreement between Russia and the United States

How in the United States fought for Soviet Jews

“Do not think that everything is so rosy here”: Armenians about life in America

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.