US General: No F-35 jet sale to Turkey if it buys Russia system
The top US commander for Europe says he would recommend the United States not sell its high-tech F-35 fighter jet to Turkey, if Ankara moves ahead with plans to buy a Russian missile defense system.
Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, head of US European Command, says Turkey should reconsider its plan to buy the S-400 from Russia this year or forfeit other future American military aircraft and systems.
He says the S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system would be a threat to the F-35.
Scaparrotti says US officials are currently in Turkey explaining the consequences of the S-400 purchase.
The State Department in December approved the sale of a $3.5 billion Patriot missile defense system to Turkey. The F-35 delivery to Turkey has been delayed as negotiations about the S-400 continue.
[AP]
