Turkey’s F-35 pilots are no longer flying at a US air base in Arizona, the Pentagon told Reuters on Monday.
“The department is aware that the Turkish pilots … are not flying,” said Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mike Andrews, a Pentagon spokesman. “Without a change in Turkish policy, we will continue to work closely with our Turkish ally on winding down their participation in the F-35 programme.”
US THREATS
US says Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defenses poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 stealthy fighters. Washington claimed that Ankara cannot have both.
Turkey is decided to make the S-400 purchase, despite US’ warnings.
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on May 22 that Turkish military personnel were receiving training in Russia to use the S-400, and that Russian personnel may go to Turkey.