Pentagon chief expects resolution in Turkey F-35 row

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday he expects the US and Turkey will resolve an ongoing row over Ankara's decision to purchase a Russian surface-to-air missile system. 

The US suspended shipments to Turkey of equipment necessary to the procurement of the F-35 stealth fighter jet fighter Tuesday because of Ankara's intent to buy Russia’s S-400 anti-air system.

But Shanahan told reporters he thinks Washington and Ankara will "solve the problem so that they have the right defense equipment in terms of Patriots and F-35s."

Following protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the US with no success, Ankara decided in 2017 to purchase the the S-400.

Ankara is also planning to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets from the US and its pilots are currently training on the weapons platform in Arizona.

Washington has repeatedly cautioned Turkey against the purchase of the S-400, warning it might be used to covertly obtain critical information on the F-35, including its detection range, which could then be relayed to Russia.

Turkey first joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program in 2002 and has invested more than $1.25 billion. It also manufactures various aircraft parts for all F-35 variants and customers.