An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes-off during Red Flag 21-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Jan. 26, 2021. USAF photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami.
Pentagon spokesman urges Ankara “not to retain” an advanced Russian air-defense system.
The Biden administration will not lift the Trump administration’s ban on Turkey buying F-35 stealth fighters, a punishment for Ankara’s 2019 purchase of a Russian air-defense system, a senior Pentagon official said Friday.
“Turkey is a longstanding and valued NATO ally, but their decision to purchase the S-400 is inconsistent with Turkey’s commitments as a U.S. and NATO ally,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said during a Friday afternoon press briefing. “Our position has not changed. The S-400 is incompatible with the F-35 and Turkey has been suspended from that program. We urge Turkey not to retain the S-400 system.”
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Update #1: Biden’s Pentagon to Keep Turkey Out of F-35 Program (Air Force Magazine)
Update #2: Biden administration maintaining tough stance on Ankara over S-400s (Ahval)
WNU Editor: Turkey will upgrade its F-16 fleet since it will not get the F-35 .... Turkey Prepares To Extend The Life Of Its Massive F-16 Fleet After F-35 Embargo (Warzone/The Drive)
