WASHINGTON: US Secretary of Defense Mark Asper, speaking to reporters at an extraordinary press conference at the Pentagon on Monday, reiterated that Turkey needs "Russian-made S-400" or US fighter jets. You have to choose between F35.
Responding to the press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey's first priority would be to get F-35 fighter jets, but if that did not happen, alternative fighter jets would be considered.
It should be noted that the S400 is a Russian-made air defense system (air defense system) that is one of the important military remnants of the former Soviet Union. Despite the old technology, the system is so powerful that it can easily destroy any aircraft flying at an altitude of 300 km. On the other hand, the so-called "Joint Strike Fighter" is a modern American F-35 fighter that is multi-purpose as well as very expensive.
Initially, Turkey negotiated the purchase of a Patriot anti-missile system with the United States, but after negotiations with the Obama administration failed, an agreement was reached in 2017 to purchase the S400 from Russia, whose supply has already begun. Now the Trump administration wants the agreement between Turkey and Russia not only to be revoked, but also to return to Russia all the batteries (units) purchased so far for the S400, after which the F-35 fighter jets will be sold to Turkey. Will be thought of.
