US Bans Turkey From F-35 Program Over Purchase of Russian S-400 Air-Defence Systems

Donald Trump administration has banned Turkey from purchasing American-made F-35 fighter jets, citing the NATO member taking delivery of a Russian air defence system overruling American objections.

F-35 project, touted as the largest and most expensive military program ever, seeks to replace existing F-16 fleets with F-35, a single-engine stealth fighter.

“Unfortunately Turkey’s decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible,” a statement released by the White House on Wednesday (17 July) said. “The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities.”

Turkey had purchased about 100 F-35s and has been actively involved in the multinational fighter development program for more than 25 years ago.

The U.S. has warned in the past that it will not allow Turkey to have both the Russian S-400 and U.S. F-35 fighter jets. Washington has claimed that it will allow the Kremlin to gather intelligence on one of its most advanced aircraft.

“Turkey cannot field a Russian intelligence collection platform in proximity to where the F-35 program makes repairs, and houses the F-35,” said Undersecretary of Defence for Acquisition Ellen Lord at a press conference.

“Much of the F-35′s strength lies in its stealth capabilities, so the ability to detect those capabilities would jeopardise the long-term security of the F-35 program.”

“Turkey has been a longstanding and trusted partner and NATO Ally for over 65 years, but accepting the S-400 undermines the commitments all NATO Allies made to each other to move away from Russian systems,” the White House statement added.

The Trump administration is planning to keep in its custody the four jets Turkey has bought so far on US soil. It will also order Turkish pilots training on the F-35 in the US to leave the country by the end of this month.