US asks Turkey to store Russian S-400s at İncirlik Base to rejoin F-35 program
The United States has proposed that Turkey could rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program if the S-400 missile systems purchased from Russia were stored under U.S. control at the İncirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. Sources added that Turkey was not warm to the proposal.
Duvar English
The United States has offered Turkey to station its Russian S-400 missile systems at the US-run İncirlik military air base to be reinstated into the F-35 program, according to a Sept. 23 report by the Greece-based daily Kathimerini.
The report stated, "This way, Turkey would avoid appearing to backtrack on the international stage without violating the terms or any binding clauses of its contract with Russia."
Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin told the daily that the White House and the Pentagon presented the offer to senior Turkish officials in July.
Rubin explained, “Sources in the region indicate that during their visit to Turkey on July 1-2, 2024, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander and Senior Director for Europe at the National Security Council Ambassador Michael Carpenter discussed reviving the F-35 deal with their Turkish counterparts. As part of the proposal, Turkey was asked to hand over the S-400s to the U.S. or transfer them to the U.S.-controlled section of İncirlik Air Base.”
Kathimerini noted that “both sides want the negotiations to have a positive outcome,” but added that Turkey was not warm to the proposal. The newspaper asked Pentagon spokesperson Javan Rasnake for an update on the talks. Rasnake responded, “Since 2019, we have communicated our stance on Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system and the consequences outlined in the legislation. There has been no change in the U.S. position or legislation on this issue.”
Rubin also said that Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program would be on its agenda during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The report continued, “Despite serious issues that continue to strain relations with Turkey, the prevailing sentiment in Washington is that once the S-400 issue is resolved, the U.S. is willing to lift Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions and reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 program.”
Recently, during an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan posited that the F-35 deal was at a standstill because of CAATSA.
He stated, “We are considering creative formulas and solutions. Ultimately, the president’s final direction will be decisive, but we are closely following the political dimension. At least both sides agree that this issue has become a stumbling block in bilateral relations.”