Turkey blackmails US with S-400 system

Shaimaa Yehia

The US has removed Turkey from the F-35 joint strike fighter program, and Turkey will lose its production work on the jet, following its acceptance of the S-400 Russian-made air defense system.

Rostec CEO said Russia is prepared to sell Turkey some of its most advanced fighter jets. He said Russia is ready to sell Su-35 and Su-57 jets to Turkey.

Turkey is a member of the (NATO, and its acquisition of the Russian missile system will impact the security measures of the NATO. Washington has revealed that would halt the F-35 jet deal as a beginning of further sanctions by the US Treasury and the Defense Departments.

The sanctions are expected to have negative impacts on the Turkish economy in general and the military industries in particular.  The US Defense Department said these preliminary measures would cost Turkey around $ 9 billion.

Moreover, the S-400 Russian-made air defense system e deal is a political dilemma not only military issue. The deal is deemed as Ankara’s first step to boost ties with Moscow. Analysts say the deal comes as part of the Russia’s endeavors to increase its allies in the Middle East.

Although the Turkish lira has been declining, it rose a little following US President Donald Trump’s statements about sanctions against Turkey for buying an air defense missile system from Russia.

The lira briefly rallied against the dollar following Trump’s comments before retreating to 5.6350 lira late in the session.

The Turkish currency has been hit hard since the beginning of the year in the wake of US threats to impose sanctions on Turkey for buying air defense missile system from Russia.