US and Turkey defense officials meet to resolve F-35 dispute

Europe, News, US October 29, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

Pentagon says it held ‘productive’ talks with Turkey over F-35 dispute

Top defense officials of the United States and Turkey met in Ankara on October 27 to resolve the dispute over Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program.

The Pentagon said the “discussions were productive,” and the delegations agreed to meet in the coming months in Washington, DC.

“The meeting demonstrates the commitment of the United States Government to conclude respectfully Turkey’s prior involvement in the F-35 program,” the U.S. Department of Defense statement said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also held phone talks to further discuss the issue as Pentagon recognized “Turkey’s military modernization needs.”

Turkish President’s spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin also discussed the F-35/F-16 issue with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on call.

Turkey demands compensation for scrapped F-35 deal

Turkey is demanding compensation for the $1.4 billion payment that the country made toward an initial order of up to 100 Lockheed Martin F-35s.

In 2019, the United States had suspended Turkey’s participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet program after it decided to purchase the Russian-built S-400 long-range air and anti-missile defense system. Washington says the Russian system would compromise the security F-35 project. Turkey, however, maintained that the S-400s were only meant to meet the country’s defense needs and posed no threats to the F-35.

Turkish firms also build some 937 parts for the stealth fighter. However, the U.S. decided to continue working with Turkish companies producing some parts of F-35 jets until 2022.

Turkish and U.S. officials are now discussing the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey to make up for the payment of the canceled F-35 deal.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey can also seek other options such as to purchase Russia’s Su-35 and Su-57 fighters if the U.S. halts the F-16 fighter jets’ sale. “If the U.S does not want to resolve the F35s issue, or if the U.S. Congress blocks it, then Turkey will consider other options, including purchasing Su-35 or Su-57,” he told CNN Turk.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to take up the issue directly with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of a climate summit in Glasgow this week.