A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany, April 25, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/File Photo
Reuters: Turkey says it will look elsewhere if U.S. won't sell Patriots, F-35s
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey warned on Wednesday that it could buy jets and additional air defense systems from Russia if it cannot get Patriot missile shields and F-35 jets from Washington, raising the prospect of ever deeper defense ties between Moscow and a NATO member.
President Tayyip Erdogan’s existing plans to buy Russian S-400 missile defenses have already alarmed the United States, which says they are not compatible with NATO systems and would compromise the security of F-35 jets Turkey is due to receive.
Washington has offered Ankara both carrot and stick in response, proposing to sell it the Raytheon Co. Patriot systems instead of the S-400s, while at the same time warning of sanctions and a halt in the F-35 fighter jet sales if the Russian deal goes ahead.
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Update: Turkey to look for alternatives if US doesn’t deliver F-35s (AP)
WNU Editor: The U.S. response to the Turkish Foreign Minister's remarks is that the U.S. may levy sanctions .... Pompeo: With S-400, Turkey won’t get F-35, may get sanctions (Defense News).
