Sunday 19 May 2019

‘No other options’: US will deliver F-35s, while Turkey will get S-400… and S-500 – Erdogan

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‘No other options’: US will deliver F-35s, while Turkey will get S-400… and S-500 – Erdogan — RT World News

The US will ‘sooner or later’ have to reconcile the reality and understand that Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 systems is a done deal, President Tayyip Erdogan stressed, noting that the current agreement is just the beginning.

“We’re done with the S-400. There is absolutely no question of stepping back on the S-400. It is a defense system, not an attack system,” Erdogan said on Saturday during the televised question and answer session with university students in Istanbul, stressing that first deliveries of the Russian anti-aircraft weapon system are expected in July.

Explaining that Russian military hardware is offered on “very favorable terms” and with no strings attached, Erdogan stressed that Ankara is also potentially seeking to acquire the next generation S-500 systems – or even engage in co-production partnership, once Russia completes the development of its newest mobile surface-to-air missile system.

The $2.5 billion defense deal with Moscow enraged Washington, which threatened its NATO ally with all kinds of sanctions while offering to substitute the Russian systems with Patriot batteries – a carrot Ankara has been reluctant to accept. At the same time, Washington threatened to block the delivery of some 100 F-35 jets purchased by Turkey, and terminate its participation in the F-35 program. Ankara, having invested some $1.25 billion in the trillion-dollar program, is a vital partner, producing parts of fuselage, landing gear and cockpit displays for the jets.

Ankara repeatedly slammed Washington's coercive diplomacy, stressing that the country is not a "slave" to dance to the US tune when it comes to protecting the sovereignty of the country. Nevertheless, Erdogan said that he has no doubts that the stealth jets will be delivered.

“They [the US] are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance,” the president said. “But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. Not delivering them is not an option.”


Turkish servicemen to start training to operate S-400 systems this month — source
Turkey and United States may have a way out of S-400 and F-35 dispute
Why Turkey's S-400s Can't Plug In to NATO Defence Systems (and Don't Need to)
Pompeo: With S-400, Turkey won’t get F-35, may get sanctions
'Rising Power' Turkey Bought S-400s to Increase Autonomy on World Stage - Prof
Trump agrees with Turkey's S-400 purchase, says Erdoğan
Turkey may never get its U.S.-made F-35s - analyst | Ahval
No Patriots, no F-35s: Pentagon to empty Turkish army’s shopping cart if it goes on with S-400 deal — RT World News
Turkey’s Erdoğan considers buying Russia’s S-500 air defense systems possible
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