The US denied Turkey F-35 sales — and now it may turn to Russia in a nightmare for NATO

[Valar Dohaeris]

Israel's first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet is revealed during a ceremony.

• The US Senate passed a defense spending bill recently that sought to prevent Turkey from getting 100 F-35 stealth jets, and now it could turn to Russia for the Su-57.
• Turkey has already agreed to buy one Russian weapons system, the S-400 missile defenses, which could give Moscow a window into NATO's defenses, which would be a nightmare for the alliance.
• The Su-57 and Turkey's embrace of Russian military equipment both pose serious threats to NATO and its aircraft.

The US Senate passed a defense spending bill recently that sought to prevent Turkey from getting the 100 F-35 stealth jets it ordered — and now Turkey could become the first buyer of Russia's Su-57 "stealth" jet killer.

The US and Turkey have a number of ongoing diplomatic beefs, including Turkey claiming that the US is harboring clerics that urged a 2016 coup and detaining US citizens, and the US is claiming Turkey is a hub of illicit financing.

But on the military side, Turkey, a NATO ally, poses another threat by buying Russia's S-400 missile defense system.

The S-400, one of the most advanced missile defense platforms around, is meant to engage and shoot down US jets, like the F-35, that rely on stealth.

Retired US Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula told Business Insider that NATO countries "don't want to be networking in Russian systems into your air defenses" as it could lead to "technology transfer and possible compromises of F-35 advantages to the S-400."

If Turkey owned the F-35 and the S-400, it would give Russia a window into NATO's missile defense network and the F-35's next-generation capabilities. Basically, as NATO is an alliance formed to counter Russia, letting Russia patch in would defeat the purpose and possibly blunt the military edge of the most expensive weapons system ever built.

So for now, it seems selling the F-35 to Turkey is out of the question, leaving another option for Turkey — Russia's Su-57 "stealth" fighter jet.

"I don't want to be too cavalier here," said Deptula of the prospect of Turkey buying Russia's jets, "but what a joke. You got to be kidding me."

One or the other

Deptula cited the poor reputation of Russian aircraft, its maintenance records, reliability, and their ability to network with NATO systems as reasons why buying Su-57s wouldn't make sense. Deptula is not alone in disapproving of the Su-57, as India backed out of its cooperation in the project.

"If they bought the Su-57s and the S-400, those steps are incompatible with them buying the F-35. It's going to be either or," said Deptula. "And given the track record of Russian advanced aircraft, not a good move."

But despite the unproven nature of Russia's new fighter jet, a close review of recent photos of the plane by Business Insider revealed it's a direct competitor for US stealth jets like the F-22 and F-35.

So Turkey getting Su-57s would, for military and diplomatic reasons, present a nightmare scenario for NATO's security.

 

[Yaseen1]

i think russia will not sell its most advanced jet to turkey which may be used against russia in syria

 

[T-123456]

Israel's first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet is revealed during a ceremony.

• The US Senate passed a defense spending bill recently that sought to prevent Turkey from getting 100 F-35 stealth jets, and now it could turn to Russia for the Su-57.
• Turkey has already agreed to buy one Russian weapons system, the S-400 missile defenses, which could give Moscow a window into NATO's defenses, which would be a nightmare for the alliance.
• The Su-57 and Turkey's embrace of Russian military equipment both pose serious threats to NATO and its aircraft.

The US Senate passed a defense spending bill recently that sought to prevent Turkey from getting the 100 F-35 stealth jets it ordered — and now Turkey could become the first buyer of Russia's Su-57 "stealth" jet killer.

The US and Turkey have a number of ongoing diplomatic beefs, including Turkey claiming that the US is harboring clerics that urged a 2016 coup and detaining US citizens, and the US is claiming Turkey is a hub of illicit financing.

But on the military side, Turkey, a NATO ally, poses another threat by buying Russia's S-400 missile defense system.

The S-400, one of the most advanced missile defense platforms around, is meant to engage and shoot down US jets, like the F-35, that rely on stealth.

Retired US Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula told Business Insider that NATO countries "don't want to be networking in Russian systems into your air defenses" as it could lead to "technology transfer and possible compromises of F-35 advantages to the S-400."

If Turkey owned the F-35 and the S-400, it would give Russia a window into NATO's missile defense network and the F-35's next-generation capabilities. Basically, as NATO is an alliance formed to counter Russia, letting Russia patch in would defeat the purpose and possibly blunt the military edge of the most expensive weapons system ever built.

So for now, it seems selling the F-35 to Turkey is out of the question, leaving another option for Turkey — Russia's Su-57 "stealth" fighter jet.

"I don't want to be too cavalier here," said Deptula of the prospect of Turkey buying Russia's jets, "but what a joke. You got to be kidding me."

One or the other

Deptula cited the poor reputation of Russian aircraft, its maintenance records, reliability, and their ability to network with NATO systems as reasons why buying Su-57s wouldn't make sense. Deptula is not alone in disapproving of the Su-57, as India backed out of its cooperation in the project.

"If they bought the Su-57s and the S-400, those steps are incompatible with them buying the F-35. It's going to be either or," said Deptula. "And given the track record of Russian advanced aircraft, not a good move."

But despite the unproven nature of Russia's new fighter jet, a close review of recent photos of the plane by Business Insider revealed it's a direct competitor for US stealth jets like the F-22 and F-35.

So Turkey getting Su-57s would, for military and diplomatic reasons, present a nightmare scenario for NATO's security.

When did this happen?
A link?

 

[BATMAN]

It was expected. Turkey should join Pakistan in development of fifth generation a/c.

 

[IceCold]

West is never going to sell their top of the line equipment to muslim countries no matter what. Just look at Saudi Arabia, they are top allies and one which buys billions of dollar worth equipment some of which they will never use and pose no threat to Israel yet F-35 was denied to SA. Turkey is no different either even though they are part of NATO.
A good option would be to join Pakistan and China and develop our own 5th generation fighter which will above all not prone to sanctions and mood swings of US and its NATO allies.

 

[Dalit]

The F-35 not ending up in the Turkish air force is a real possibility. The Yanks are in hostility mode.

 

[jaiind]

what happened to turkey korea joint 5 gen fighter development ??

 

[damm1t]

Israel cowardly cried to US about sales and now they prevent a project partner from getting them. America is a proven untrustworthy partner. They are about losing Turkey for all..

what happened to turkey korea joint 5 gen fighter development ??

It never happened, Turkey develops its own 5th gen. fighter.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

White house is a Pesudo Jew , organization , most people sitting are there by virtue of servitude to Jew financial Controllers , and it is no suprise they look out for Israel

Turkey was being prepped up for potential 1 vs 1 against Russia so they were given weapons and support

Unfortunately Turkey and Russia shock hands and it turned all cards upside down

 

[Theparadox]

When did this happen?
A link?

Misleading headline, read the article its just passed by a senate.

what happened to turkey korea joint 5 gen fighter development ??

Korea was developing 5th gen with Indonesia though it maybe cancelled now.

 

[-SINAN-]

When did this happen?
A link?

Never happened, just sensationalist news. Nothing more.

 

[Azeri440]

West is never going to sell their top of the line equipment to muslim countries no matter what. Just look at Saudi Arabia, they are top allies and one which buys billions of dollar worth equipment some of which they will never use and pose no threat to Israel yet F-35 was denied to SA. Turkey is no different either even though they are part of NATO.
A good option would be to join Pakistan and China and develop our own 5th generation fighter which will above all not prone to sanctions and mood swings of US and its NATO allies.

SA has never even announced they are interested in F-35, yet you somehow know they were already denied F-35.
and if you think US doesn't sell top of the line equipment to Muslim countries, Saudis are currently flying the most advanced F-15 and UAE is currently flying the most advanced F-16.

 

[The SC]

Turkey will get 19 F-35s as first batch very soon..

Both the UAE and KSA are in serious negotiations for the F-35..

 

[SipahSalar]

Many had warned on pdf several years ago that this sale would never happen.

 

[IceCold]

SA has never even announced they are interested in F-35, yet you somehow know they were already denied F-35.

Yes they havent however read this:
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/us-not-to-sell-f-35-fighter-jets-to-arab-countries.429483/

and if you think US doesn't sell top of the line equipment to Muslim countries, Saudis are currently flying the most advanced F-15 and UAE is currently flying the most advanced F-16.

Yes they are however i am not comparing Saudi F-15 versus F-15s of other countries or F-16 versus F-16 but rather F-15 versus F-35 which is what the F-15 will face if it comes to that. So US selling the most advanced F-15s to Saudi Arabia is still second to what US is offering to Israel.