Türkİye, Politics

'Turkey works to fulfill commitments on S-400, F-35'

Turkish defense minister visits airbase in eastern Malatya where F-35 fighter jets will be deployed

Sarp Ozer  | 17.05.2019 - Update : 18.05.2019
'Turkey works to fulfill commitments on S-400, F-35'

MALATYA, Turkey

Turkey is trying to fulfil its commitments and responsibilities both on S-400 air defense system and F-35 fighter jet, the country’s defense minister said on Friday.

“On the issues of both S-400 and F-35, we are showing efforts to completely fulfill whatever our commitments and responsibilities are without flaws,” Hulusi Akar said during his visit to an airbase in eastern Malatya province where F-35 jets will be deployed.

"We are setting up an area for the activities of F-35 here,” Akar said, adding that some parts of the jets were being produced in Turkey.

Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have reached a fever pitch in recent months with Turkey set to begin receiving the advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia.

U.S. officials have suggested Turkey buy the U.S. Patriot missile system rather than the S-400, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems and is a threat to the F-35 fifth-generation stealth aircraft.

Turkey responded it was the U.S. refusal to sell it Patriots that led it to seek other sellers, adding that Russia offered a better deal, including technology transfers. 

*Writing by Sena Guler


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