Akar: US letter on F-35, S-400 against alliance spirit

Akar: US letter on F-35, S-400 against alliance spirit
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday (June 18) expressed Turkey's disturbance over the stance and approach of the US regarding Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, DS reported.

In a written response to US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan's letter on the F-35 program, Akar said the US' conduct is contrary to the spirit of the alliance.

Akar stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue and supporting efforts based on mutual respect and friendship to find a suitable solution to problems.

Shanahan's letter to his counterpart sent on June 7 had outlined how Turkey would be pulled out of the F-35 fighter jet program, in which Turkey is one of the core partners and a prospective buyer, unless Ankara changes course from its plans to purchase the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

The letter said that the F-35 fighter jet training program for Turkish pilots would end July 31, giving the pilots enough time to complete their training.

But the Pentagon said several days later that the US Air Force has halted ongoing training of Turkish pilots on the F-35 before the end date for safety concerns.

US officials argued it would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge, but Turkey has emphasized that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO operability and would not pose a threat to the alliance.

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