US President Trump Approves Law Stopping Delivery of F-35 Jets to Turkey

Trump receiving information about F-35 jets. Photograph: Foreign Policy

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

US President Donald Trump approved a law draft, which also foresees the suspension of the delivery of 100 F-35 jets to Turkey yesterday (August 13).

Turkey was planning to use the jets in the next 10 year. Turkey having the F-35 jets would make the country the third largest F-35 operator of the world.

In reporting the news, the US-based Foreign Policy has emphasized that the approval of the related law draft "will also complicate the matters for the United States" and added,

"Several key components of the jet are manufactured by Turkish companies, and the U.S. Defense Department estimates it will take two years to find and qualify new suppliers to replace any Turkish firms that are kicked out of the program."

In the report, it has also been underlined that "the main European hub for the F-35's engine repair and overhaul is in Eskişehir in Turkey."

Mattis objected to the law draft

As reported by the US media, the country has been uncomfortable with Turkey's S-400 deal with Russia and concerned that Russia could obtain the details of the F-35 project.

In a letter that he addressed to the US Congress, the US Secretary of Defense James Mattis objected to the related law draft and wrote that the delivery of F-35 jets to Turkey should not be stopped, stating that such an act would damage the supply chain.

13 pilots receive training in Arizona

A ceremony was held in Texas on June 21, 2018 and two F-35 jets were delivered to Turkey.

13 pilots from Turkey have been receiving training on the jets, which are held currently at the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

What does the law foresee?

In 90 days after the law draft is approved by the President and becomes a law, the US Department of Defense has to prepare a report regarding the state of military and political relations between the US and Turkey and submit it to the Congress.

Until the report is submitted to the Congress, the delivery of F-35 jets to Turkey will be stopped. (PT/SD)