Ankara has threatened to turn down Washington's F-35 fighters. That's what the head of Turkey's MFA's, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, declared. According to him, if the USA refuses to supply them, the demand for similar aircraft will be met by another country.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkey's MFA: "Why do we buy S-400 systems? Because we have an urgent need for an air defense system. Currently, we're partners in a program for the manufacture of the F-35. We're participating in this project for an applicable fee. At the moment, as far as this issue goes, there aren't any problems. But, as things unfold, in the worst-case scenario, we'll have to satisfy this demand in some other place that can offer us the best technology".
Let me remind you that Washington's pressure is connected with a contract between Ankara and Moscow on the supply of S-400 missile systems. The country will receive the first batch of the state-of-the-art air-defense systems this July.
The USA has declared that the S-400 system doesn't comply with NATO standards. The White House has threatened Turkey with sanctions and refusal to supply military equipment.
Nevertheless, Ankara hasn't abandoned its plans. Moreover, now it seems that Ankara is considering the possibility of buying Russian SU-57 aircraft if Washington actually refuses to deliver the F-35 to Turkey.
