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Turkey Accused Of Moving Its S-400 Missile Systems To A Critical NATO Base Housing American Nukes, F-35s

The US-Turkey tussle over the Russian-made S-400 air defense system is witnessing some new developments. Washington recently accused Ankara of moving its S-400s to a key NATO base, although the latter has denied this allegation.

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The timing of the incident may appear suspect to some as it comes just days after the Biden administration threatened Turkey with the second round of sanctions for its procurement of the S-400 air defense system from Russia.

According to Bloomberg, the Turkish Defense Ministry has since issued a statement addressing these concerns, “The claims on social media that the S-400s were taken to Incirlik are not true.” The US and Turkey are NATO allies.

The Incirlik Base?

A deal between US and Turkey grants the former access to the NATO base in Turkey’s Incirlik. However, Turkey’s use of the facility is subject to mission-specific permissions from parliament.

Incirlik serves as a transfer hub for US military deployments in the region and houses American tactical nuclear bombs.

The sensitive nature of the base coupled with longstanding espionage implications over Turkey’s procurement of the Russian S-400 adds to Washington’s anxieties. The US fears the S-400 may be used to surreptitiously gain access to technological data on US’ F-35 stealth fighters.




Incirlik Airbase
A Turkish Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker is seen at the Incirlik airbase. (File photo: Wikipedia)

The Trump administrations had vehemently opposed Ankara’s S-400 procurement and eventually levied sanctions under Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The same policy is likely to be continued by the Biden administration as well, if Turkey procures more S-400s.

Retribution for acquiring the S-400 system was not limited to sanctions. Turkey was even kicked out of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, in which it had invested a considerable amount.

Being a part of the program would have allowed Turkey access to work on the F-35 and receive the stealth fighter for its air force. Ankara has since requested Washington to sell them F-16s as compensation for being dropped from the F-35 program.

Is Turkey Acting Out?

US President has continued with his predecessor’s policy decision to keep Turkey out of the F-35 program. This was indicated by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby at a press briefing held on February 5, 2021, during which he reiterated the previous administrations’ view.

“Our position has not changed! The S-400 is incompatible with the F-35 and Turkey has been suspended from that program.”

“Turkey had multiple opportunities over the last decade to purchase the Patriot defense system from the United States and instead chose to purchase the S-400, which provides Russia revenue, access, and influence,” Kirby added.




The F-35 Lighting II

The Air Force Magazine had reported earlier this year that the US Air Force bought the eight F-35As that were initially manufactured for Turkey, but never delivered under an $861.7 million contract.

Turkey had already placed its order for these planes when it was ousted from the program. Additionally, it was also dropped from the F-35 supply chain over the course of the next two years as well.

While the Biden administration has the power to revoke the sanctions, the President would need to certify to Congress that Ankara and “any person acting on its behalf” no longer owns the S-400 or a newer variant.

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