US Will Move F-35 Work and Support Out of Turkey Acting Defense Sec. Shanahan says

US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan warned Friday that the Pentagon will halt manufacturing support for the F-35 in Turkey if Ankara buys a Russian missile defense system. Turkey’s adoption of Russian missile technology alongside U.S. fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 and endanger Western defense.

Such a decision is long overdue. One of the world’s most brutal dictators should not be in possession of the world’s best fighter-jet. In addition, Turkey is rapidly expanding their military co-operation with Russia, which should disqualify Turkey from NATO. If the Democrats were so concerned about Russia (which they’re not) they would be introducing legislation to suspend all military co-operation with Turkey.

Shanahan told journalists the government remained steadfast in its opposition to Turkey’s adoption of the S-400 anti-aircraft technology. “If Turkey decides that the S-400 is a decision they want to go forward with, then we have to move work out of Turkey,” he said. Shanahan noted that he had met with delegations from US aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and United Technologies to discuss options if Turkey refuses to forego the S-400.

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Washington has warned for months that Turkey’s adoption of Russian missile technology alongside US fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 and endanger Western defense.

Related: Key House lawmakers announced their bill Friday to bar the sale of the F-35 warplane to Turkey if Ankara buys the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

US to move F-35 work out of Turkey, Acting Defense Sec. Shanahan says

Daily Sabah, May 3, 2019:

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan reiterated his country’s opposition to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, saying that Pentagon will halt manufacturing support for the F-35.

Shanahan told journalists the government remained steadfast in its opposition to Turkey’s adoption of the S-400 anti-aircraft technology.

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“If Turkey decides that the S-400 is a decision they want to go forward with, then we have to move work out of Turkey,” he said.

Shanahan noted that he had met with delegations from U.S. aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and United Technologies to discuss options if Turkey refuses to forego the S-400.

Washington has warned for months that Turkey’s adoption of Russian missile technology alongside U.S. fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 and endanger Western defense.

 

Turkey to Buy Russian Missiles Despite US ‘Threats’, Military.com, May 5, 2019: 

Turkey on Sunday dismissed U.S. threats of sanctions if it went ahead with a Russian missile purchase, saying it would not renege on a pledge to Moscow.

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Washington has warned its NATO ally for months that Ankara’s adoption of Russian S-400 missile technology alongside US F-35 fighters would pose a threat to the jets and endanger Western defense.

The U.S. has said it will halt a joint F-35 program with Turkey if it acquires the Russian missile defense system. A U.S. law furthermore provides for sanctions on any country concluding arms deals with Russian companies.

“The U.S. threats of sanctions shows that they don’t know Turkey,” Vice President Fuat Oktay told Kanal 7 television.

“The decision on the S-400 has been taken. Once a pact has been signed, one’s word given, Turkey respects it,” he said.

The S-400 purchase is one dispute fueling tensions between two nations also at odds over US support for Syrian Kurdish militias which Ankara brands as terrorists and Turkish backing for US foe Venezuela.