US and Turkey to continue cooperation on F-35 parts production

(Patria) – The US will continue cooperation with Turkish companies on the production of some parts for F-35 fighter jets, the Turkish news agency Anadolu quoted the Pentagon spokesperson as saying, reports Reuters.

Turkish authorities stated in May that the country is still producing and delivering parts for these aircraft, even though Turkey was suspended from the program a year ago due to the procurement of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft defense systems.

Reuters writes that Turkey was a producer of parts and also a major buyer of Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft. Washington believes that the S-400 is not compatible with NATO alliance defense systems and can endanger the aircraft.

The Anadolu news agency quoted spokesperson Jessica Maxwell as saying that Turkish companies will continue to produce 139 aircraft components until 2022.

– Our industry partners will continue to fulfill contracts, Maxwell said, but added that the Pentagon is still looking for an alternative to Turkey.

Let us recall that when the first Russian S-400 systems arrived in Turkey last July, Washington announced that it would suspend Ankara from the F-35 program and reduce Turkey's involvement by March 2020.

US representatives stated at the time that due to this procurement, Turkey could face US sanctions – which was intended to discourage any future procurements from Russia.