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Pentagon expects Turkey will buy US missile system

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US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday he was confident that Turkey would drop its plan to purchase the Russian S-400 missile defense system and buy the US Patriot system instead.

A day after Washington put a freeze on its joint F-35 fighter jet program with Turkey in protest to the S-400 deal, Shanahan said he expects Ankara to opt for the Patriot missiles.

That would then allow the F-35 program to continue, he confirmed.

"I've had a number of conversations with Defense Minister (Hulusi) Akar and I really think we'll resolve this situation with our strategic partners," he said.

"I am very confident in the Patriot proposal that we've delivered to Turkey, its availability, it's pricing, and very importantly, the industrial participation that comes along with the Patriot system."

Asked if that meant he expects Turkey will buy the Patriot system, Shanahan replied: "I expect we'll solve the problem so that they have the right defense equipment in terms of Patriots and F-35s."

As for the F-35s planned for Turkey, he said: "I expect them to be delivered."

On Monday, the Pentagon said it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 if Ankara insisted on buying the S-400 system from Russia, a move which has alarmed Turkey's NATO allies.

A Russian S-400 Triumph air defence missile system parades through Red Square on May 6  2018
A Russian S-400 Triumph air defence missile system parades through Red Square on May 6, 2018
Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP/File

The tough step came after months of warnings from Washington that Turkey's adoption of Russian missile technology alongside US fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 technology and endanger Western defenses.

"Pending an unequivocal Turkish decision to forgo delivery of the S-400, deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability have been suspended while our dialogue on this important matter continues with Turkey," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The purchase of a Russian system is highly unusual for a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Western alliance forged to counter the Soviet Union.

The US suspension announcement came two days before foreign ministers from NATO's 29 members were due in Washington to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance.

Last week, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met in Turkey with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and insisted that the S-400 purchase would go ahead.

US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Tuesday he was confident that Turkey would drop its plan to purchase the Russian S-400 missile defense system and buy the US Patriot system instead.

A day after Washington put a freeze on its joint F-35 fighter jet program with Turkey in protest to the S-400 deal, Shanahan said he expects Ankara to opt for the Patriot missiles.

That would then allow the F-35 program to continue, he confirmed.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with Defense Minister (Hulusi) Akar and I really think we’ll resolve this situation with our strategic partners,” he said.

“I am very confident in the Patriot proposal that we’ve delivered to Turkey, its availability, it’s pricing, and very importantly, the industrial participation that comes along with the Patriot system.”

Asked if that meant he expects Turkey will buy the Patriot system, Shanahan replied: “I expect we’ll solve the problem so that they have the right defense equipment in terms of Patriots and F-35s.”

As for the F-35s planned for Turkey, he said: “I expect them to be delivered.”

On Monday, the Pentagon said it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 if Ankara insisted on buying the S-400 system from Russia, a move which has alarmed Turkey’s NATO allies.

A Russian S-400 Triumph air defence missile system parades through Red Square on May 6  2018

A Russian S-400 Triumph air defence missile system parades through Red Square on May 6, 2018
Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP/File

The tough step came after months of warnings from Washington that Turkey’s adoption of Russian missile technology alongside US fighter jets would pose a threat to the F-35 technology and endanger Western defenses.

“Pending an unequivocal Turkish decision to forgo delivery of the S-400, deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey’s F-35 operational capability have been suspended while our dialogue on this important matter continues with Turkey,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The purchase of a Russian system is highly unusual for a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Western alliance forged to counter the Soviet Union.

The US suspension announcement came two days before foreign ministers from NATO’s 29 members were due in Washington to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance.

Last week, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met in Turkey with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and insisted that the S-400 purchase would go ahead.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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