a minute agoUS-Turkish missile disputes continue
Periskopi(7 years ago)
(7 years ago)The United States and Turkey did not appear to make progress Wednesday towards resolving a major dispute over Ankara's plans to buy a Russian air defence system, just before its expected release in July. Talks were held during meetings at NATO headquarters in Brussels. United States [...]
Talks were held during meetings at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
The United States says buying Russian air defence system S-400 poses a threat to Turkey's planned purchase of US Stealth F-35 US aircraft firm Lockheed Martin.
Washington says Ankara cannot have both and has begun the process of removing Turkey from the F-35 aircraft programme, including the disruption of Turkish pilots training in the United States for advanced Stealth aircraft.
Mark Esper, the US secretary of defence in office, warned Turkish counterpart Hulus Akar during closed-door talks that buying the Russian system would also have an economic impact, a senior US defence official said, alluding to expected US sanctions.
The Secretary was very determined, once again, that Turkey cannot have both, including S-400 and F-35. And if they accept S-400 they should accept the consequences not only for the F-35 programme but also economics. ”
Buying military equipment from Russia leaves Turkey exposed to US punishment, under a 2017 law known as CAATSA.
Turkey has dismissed US security concerns of F-35 aircraft and insists it cannot escape buying the S-400 system. US bid to supply Turkey with Patriot missiles, produced by US company Raytheon Co, has not affected Ankara.
Tensions between Washington and Ankara already lie beyond F-35 aircraft and include strategy in Syria, sanctions on Iran and other issues. / VoA
