Turkey to get Russian S-400 missile system 'in July' amid row over US jets
Source: BBC
The US had said Turkey could not have both the S-400 anti-aircraft defence system and US F-35 fighter jets.
But Mr Erdogan said Turkey would hold to account anyone who excluded Turkey from the F-35 programme.
Nato member Turkey has signed up to buying 100 F-35s and has invested heavily in the F-35 programme.
Turkish companies produce 937 of the plane's parts.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48617664
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)RIP Syria and Ukraine...... .......
RockRaven
(14,782 posts)and it does not matter what previous international agreements, contracts, or treaties are in effect -- there is an allegedly superseding principle in play: supposedly this aircraft is important to US national security. (If that is true, then letting Turkey have them is harmful to US national security. If that is not true, why the HELL is the USA buying ANY of these things at all?)
I hate the F-35 program for many reasons. It exemplifies a lot that which is wrong, wrong, wrong with the US gov, the DOD, and military industrial complex. But the merits of the F-35 program are actually irrelevant to the issue at hand -- the question is: what will Turkey do with this reportedly sensitive technology?
Anyone with half of a modicum of the semi-sentience contained in a tiny globule of neuron-like cells operating part-time can see that the first thing Turkey will do with an F-35 is test it against Russian anti-aircraft systems AND LET RUSSIA KNOW THE RESULTS, good and bad (why? well, in exchange for some concession from Russia which Erdogan wants, obviously, but one in HIS interests, not OURS).
And what do ya think Russia is gonna do with that info, ignore it?
Anyone who participates in Turkey getting F-35s is participating in Putin's Russia getting everything they could possibly want to know about the newest/most expensive/most sensitive part of the US defense apparatus... WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
padah513
(2,483 posts)More than that, what's to stop Turkey from "loaning" Russia one of its F-35's once it got one in hand? I'm not even comfortable with them making parts. Erdogan has proven himself to be anything but trustworthy.
Sapient Donkey
(1,568 posts)If there is a fear that Turkey would hand over the F-35 to Russia, then that fear should be there regardless if they buy S-400s or not. If they doubt Turkey's sincerity as an ally, then they shouldn't be getting the F-35 either way. It being tied to the purchase of the s-400s makes me suspicious of the motives. I would like to hear some further explanation about how them not purchasing the S-400s means the any possible national security risk is no longer there.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)there probably wouldn't be an issue, but Turkey is seen as a less reliable ally -- for good reason.
Sapient Donkey
(1,568 posts)If they are that sketchy, then they shouldn't be trusted at all.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)The radars would be tracking the F-35 and this could lead to Russia knowing more about how the aircraft operates and looks on radars. We don't want the Russians knowing this information.
Sapient Donkey
(1,568 posts)I suppose maybe when/if they are doing technical support functions for the missiles systems they could use that as a chance to gather the data. Still, this comes back to the fact that we are concerned Turkey would allow for that to happen in any S-400s or not, then they probably shouldn't be trusted to begin with.
Ramsey Barner
(349 posts)Putin moves another pawn. So much winning.