ANKARA, Nov 20 (NNN-ANADOLU) – If the U.S. stance on delivery of F-35 fighter jets does not change, Turkey would be forced to “look elsewhere” to meet its defence necessities, Turkish President, Recep Erdogan, said.
“If the current disagreement on F-35 fighter jets continues, Turkey must look elsewhere, to meet its medium-term needs,” Erdogan said, while addressing his party members at parliament.
The Turkish president was referring to his meeting last week with U.S. President, in Washington.
Turkey would not step back from its deployment of the Russian S-400 air defence systems, Erdogan said.
“There are efforts to turn the S-400’s into a key problem of bilateral matters. We have agreed (with Trump) to seek ways to resolve the S-400 issue, he stated.
Turkey’s procurement of the Russian S-400 missile defence systems prompted the Trump administration to suspend Ankara from the F-35 fifth-generation joint strike fighter programme, in July.
Russia has expressed its readiness for a potential agreement with Turkey, on the sale of Russian Su-35 or Su-57 aircraft.– NNN-ANADOLU
