By Rudaw
The Pentagon will go ahead with the first deliveries of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite the Senate voting to block sales of state-of-the-art aircraft to Turkey.
The US Senate late on Monday night passed the National Defense Authorization Act. A clause added to the bill moves to block transfers of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
“The decision is an unfortunate development,” Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters on Tuesday.
“Turkey is not without alternatives,” he continued. “Such attempts are regrettable and go against the soul of strategic partnership.”
The F-35 was developed by 14 NATO members working in partnership, including Turkey.
The bill must still be passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate vote has not derailed plans for the first transfer of the jets.
A Pentagon official confirmed to Rudaw’s Namo Abdulla that the ceremony to deliver the first jet to Turkey will go ahead as planned in Fort Worth Texas on Thursday.
Turkish pilots are already in the US for training, the official added.
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu said they will “definitely” take the jets, arguing that the US cannot back out of the deal.
“Regarding the agreements, the necessary things were fulfilled. It is a convention,” he said on state-run broadcaster TRT.
US lawmakers are concerned about Turkey’s growing ties with Russia after Ankara has pushed ahead with its plan to purchase the Russian-build S400 air defence system.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said they had no choice but to turn to Russia after they were unsuccessful in attempts to buy the American Patriot air defence system.
