New American-Turkish argument over F35
ISTANBUL, Turkey (North Press) – Turkey has recently signed an agreement with an international law firm in order to recover its losses regarding the US F35 war fighter deal during the era of former President Donald Trump.
Trump removed Turkey from the US warfighter manufacturing program in response for purchasing the Russian S400 missile system.
Sources interested in Turkish affairs stated that the Turkish Defense Industries Corporation concluded an agreement with the international law firm, Arnold & Porter, for legal and strategic advisory services, as part of Ankara’s efforts to protect its rights in the F35 program.
Sources pointed out that signing an agreement with the international law firm aims to grant legal advisory to protect Turkey’s gained rights regarding the program rather than its return to it.
Earlier, Turkey stressed, according to the head of the Defense Industries Corporation, Ismail Demir, that removing Turkey from the fighter program is “a unilateral and illegal step, and that Ankara will take all necessary steps to protect its rights.”
Washington had effectively refrained from delivering fighters to Turkey with the aim of training Turkish pilots to use them.
Also, the price of these fighters was not returned to Turkey after its exclusion from the program.
A Turkish source preferred not to be named, told North Press that Turkey is still wary of how to deal with the new US administration and how to solve the disputed problems with it.
Turkey fears for its interests and rights within the legal framework, whether or not to continue the program, “I think it will be in accordance with a political decision, not a legal human rights one,” the source added.
The new US administration did not announce any preparations for lifting the sanctions imposed on Turkey within the framework of the program, which came against the backdrop of the latter’s purchase of the Russian-made S400 defense systems.
Therefore, Turkey had to take care of its rights according to the international laws, the source noted.
In April 2019, the United States announced the suspension of “deliveries and activities processes” related to Turkey’s purchase of the fifth generation F35 fighters, against the backdrop of Ankara’s intention to purchase the Russian missile system S400.
In 2017, Turkey decided to buy S400 missile system from Russia, after its prolonged efforts to buy air defense systems from the United States faltered.
“We very much regret the current situation facing our F35 partnership with Turkey, and the DoD [the Department of Defense] is taking prudent steps to protect the shared investments made in our critical technology,” Pentagon spokesman Charles Summers said in a statement.
“Should Turkey procure the S400, their continued participation in the F35 program is at risk,” he added.
“The United States has been clear that Turkey’s acquisition of the S400 is unacceptable,” Summers said.
“Therefore, the DoD has initiated steps necessary to ensure prudent program planning and resiliency of the F35 supply chain,” he added.
Summers pointed out that his country is currently developing additional sources to replace the Turkish-produced F35 components.
The F35 is a multi-role fighter. It can be used in the infantry, navy and air forces alike. It has great maneuvering capabilities, electronic scanning capabilities and stealth technology, according to official Turkish sources.
Another Turkish source told North Press that Turkey aims, through this step, to send messages to the new US administration.
These messages imbedded that there are no emotions in politics, and interests govern the relationship between the two states, as Turkey wants Washington to receive these messages positively, the source added.