Erdogan says Turkey will turn elsewhere if U.S. will not sell F-35s

ISTANBUL, 26 July. - (ANA) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday Turkey would turn elsewhere for fighter jets if the United States will not sell it F-35s, adding that the U.S. decision to cut Ankara from the jet production program would not deter it from meeting its needs.

The United States said last week it was removing NATO ally Turkey from the F-35 program, as it long threatened, after Ankara purchased and received delivery of Russian S-400 missile defenses. U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to decide on sanctions on Turkey that appear to be required by U.S. law.

Erdogan, speaking publicly about Ankara’s strained ties with Washington for the first time in 11 days, said he hoped U.S. officials would be “reasonable” on the question of sanctions. - (ANA) -

AB/ANA/26 July 2019 - - -