(New York Times) Katie Rogers and Thomas Gibbons-Neff - The White House informed Turkey on Wednesday that the U.S. would not sell it F-35 stealth fighter jets in retaliation for Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. Turkey's order for more than 100 American-made jets would be canceled. "The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," the White House said. Ellen M. Lord, the Defense Department's undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment, said the decision would cost the U.S. $500-600 million. Some 900 mechanical parts for the aircraft - originally intended to be supplied by Turkey - will now be manufactured in the U.S. and other allied nations.
2019-07-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive