The United States has stopped the supply of equipment, associated with the F-35 fighter unobtrusive, to Turkey. reason – Ankara's refusal to suspend the procedure of buying Russian anti-missile system.
US officials said his Turkish counterpart, that further supply of equipment, associated with the F-35 and needed to prepare for the arrival of the fifth generation aircraft, frozen.
Information has been published information Reuters agency with reference to two sources, familiar with the situation. Later, the Pentagon has confirmed message.
In anticipation of a clear refusal of Ankara on the contract for C-400, delivery and operation, associated with the preparation of infrastructure for the F-35 in Turkey, They were suspended
– said Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan refused to deviate from the planned Ankara purchase the S-400 missile defense system Russia, which, of the United States said, jeopardize the safety of the F-35 aircraft.
Disagreements over the F-35 is the latest of a whole series of diplomatic conflict between the United States and Turkey, including Ankara's demands for the extradition of Washington Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, differences over Middle East policy and the war in Syria, as well as sanctions against Iran.
About, Such steps may be taken in the near future, it became clear in March 2019 of the year, when a representative of the US military spokesman said, that the United States has a list of equipment, the supply of which they may suspend. According to the official, The United States therefore want to send a signal that Turkey, that Washington is seriously fears, that Turkey will not give up its intention to purchase C-400.
Expected, US decision on the F-35 would complicate scheduled for this week's visit to Washington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu, which will be held in the framework of NATO summit.
Some of the Russian weapons systems are considered as the undoubted threat to the United States, regardless of, who uses them and for what purpose. Since Turkey is not just the F-35 buyer, and the industrial partner, one of the links in the chain of suppliers of parts and equipment for low-profile fighter, Freeze supply of these systems represents a serious escalation of the conflict with the United States and proof of the seriousness of Washington's intentions, as the situation would have serious cost to both sides
– said Andrew Hunter, Center for Strategic and International Studies Fellow.
In the same time, The United States earlier expressed confidence, that in the case of parts, produced by Turkey, Washington will not be difficult to find replacement supplies. Total produces about Ankara 800 parts F-35. Turkey produces fuselage parts, chassis, etc.. Only some of them are made solely by the Turks, for the rest of the equipment and items have overlapping production.
for example, fuselage has produced Northrop Grumman, which has increased production of its own enterprises. At the moment, the maximum F-35 supplies the delay time can make 3 of the month.
The US and other allies of Turkey in NATO, is the owner of the F-35, fear, that the Russian radar missile system S-400 learns to identify and track aircraft, which makes the F-35 more vulnerable to Russian weapons in the future.
In an attempt to convince Ankara to abandon its plans to buy S-400, Washington offered a more expensive missile defense system Patriot American production, offer period which expired at the end of March. Turkey has expressed interest in "Patriot" system, but not at the expense of the Russian system.
Ankara keenly interested not only in the purchase of a missile defense system, but also for technologies. According to statements by Erdogan, with Russia, Unlike in the US, he was able to negotiate.
Turkish officials refused to change its position on the purchase of S-400, Noting, that a number of NATO countries have a system S-300, and ignoring this fact is discrimination against Ankara.
