Turkey intends to take legal actions against the United States if Trump administration tries to prevent the delivery of US F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. This was reported by the Sabah newspaper, according to the spokesman for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan – Ibrahim Kalyn.
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“The F-35 is a joint project, and Turkey will take legal action if any steps are taken to prevent the supply of the F-35,” Kalyn said.
Erdogan said on July 29 that Turkey will appeal to the International Court of Arbitration if the United States refuses to supply F-35 jets to Ankara. The President also stressed that Turkey “may consider alternatives” to F-35, in an indirect reference to Russian fighters.
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell warned that Turkey’s acquisition of S-400 would lead to Washington imposing sanctions on Ankara and major differences in bilateral relations. In addition, as Mitchell stressed, the US can refuse to transfer F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, as Ankara is also procuring S-400 defence systems from Russia.
As EurAsian Times reported earlier, US Congress is intending to block the sales of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. According to House Armed Services Committee senior aides, the Pentagon must first submit a report to the legislators about the “overall strategic alliance with Turkey,” all international military hardware sales to Ankara and their choice to purchase the Russian S-400 air-defence system.
The move was made in spite of Defense Secretary James Mattis’s request. The Pentagon chief had urged legislators not to obstruct the sale of the F-35 Jets, contending that it could start a “supply chain disruption” and drive their price higher.
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