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A delegation from the U.S. Congress met with officials from Turkey’s Foreign Affairs and Defense ministries. The delegation from Washington is headed by Michael R. Turner, while the Turkish delegation is headed by Osman Aşkın Bak.
The officials discussed Turkey’s purchase of the U.S.-made F-35 jets and the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
The U.S. delegation indicated that if Turkey backed down from its deal to purchase the Russian S-400s then it would remove obstacles preventing Ankara’s purchase of the F-35s.
Russia will begin delivering its advanced S-400 missile defense system to Turkey in 2019, the Interfax news agency cited Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport as saying on Tuesday.The United States has expressed concern that NATO member Turkey's planned deployment of the Russian-made S-400 could risk the security of several U.S.-made weapons used by Turkey, including the F-35 jet.Rosoboronexport also said it would switch to using local currencies in deals with foreign trade partners, instead of using the dollar, the RIA news agency reported.
Russia to start delivering S-400 defense system to Turkey in 2019
The U.S. House and Senate of Congress in late July agreed to bar the delivery of any F-35s to Turkey until the Pentagon delivers a plan evaluating the ramifications of axing Turkey from the program, and the state of Washington-Ankara ties.
Russia will begin delivering its advanced S-400 missile defense system to Turkey in 2019, Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said Tuesday.
The Turkish delegation asked that the negative stance of U.S. Congress toward Ankara be remedied, adding that Washington was not doing enough in the struggle against the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) and that the two countries needed to boost cooperation.
F-35 Joint Program Office on Thursday said it will continue to execute current program plans with all partners and to abide by any future policy directions."The F-35 Joint Program Office is supporting the Defense Department's report submission requirement to Congress on status of the United States relationship with the Republic of Turkey as directed in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act," the office said in a statement.It added: "The training of Turkish F-35 personnel at Luke Air Force Base will continue until the NDAA-required Secretary of Defense F-35 report has been submitted to Congress for their decision on the way forward."White House confirms US, China trade talks to resumeU.S. President Donald Trump recently signed of a $716 billion defense spending bill which includes an amendment prohibiting sales to Turkey of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets until the Pentagon issues a report on Turkish-American relations in 90 days.The report is expected to include an assessment of Turkey's participation in the F-35 program as well as the "risks" that would be posed by the country's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.Turkey's removal from the F-35 program was taken out of the bill by the Congressional Conference Committee.US warns Manila not to buy Russian military equipmentTurkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on Wednesday said: "Turkey is not a country that is only a buyer of F-35 jets. It is a partner in the project. Until now, it [Turkey] has paid the necessary payments it was required to do so."Turkey has been in the F-35 program since 1999. The Turkish defense industry has taken an active role in their production, including Alp Aviation, AYESAS, Kale Aviation, Kale Pratt Whitney, and Turkish Aerospace Industries making parts for the first F-35 fighter jet.Ankara plans to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets in the years to come.US cannot see who its true friend is: Turkish FM
F-35 Joint Program Office to execute current plans
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson.
The sanctions were followed by U.S President Donald Trump increasing tariffs on Turkish imports, which Turkey responded to by imposing customs duties on several U.S.-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars.