US halts F-35 fighter jet programme with Turkey over its plan to buy Russian S-400 missile system
- US move comes just days after Turkey’s foreign minister said his country was committed to the deal to buy the S-400 Russian missile system
- US officials have voiced concern that Russia could obtain F-35 data to improve the accuracy of the missile against Western aircraft
The United States said Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet programme after the Nato ally insisted on a major arms purchase from Russia.
After months of warnings, the United States said that Turkey’s decision to buy Russia’s S-400 missile system was incompatible with remaining part of the emblematic US warplane programme.
“Until they forgo delivery of the S-400, the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey’s F-35 operational capability,” Pentagon chief spokesman Charles E. Summers Jnr said.
“Should Turkey procure the S-400, their continued participation in the F-35 programme is at risk,” he said in a statement.
US officials have voiced concern that, with Turkey in both camps, Russia could obtain F-35 data to improve the accuracy of the S-400 against Western aircraft.
The Pentagon said that it had started to look at secondary sources to produce parts for F-35s that were being developed in Turkey.