US refuses to train Turkish pilots because of Russia's S-400
The US has decided not to train more Turkish pilots to fly the F-35 fighter bomber, Reuters reported.
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| F-35 fighter bomber. Photo: CC BY 2.0 / US Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Jarad A. Denton |
The decision was made against the backdrop of negotiations between the US and Türkiye, when Washington called on Ankara not to buy Russia's S-400 air defense missile system.
The publication notes that this will only affect new pilots and technicians planning to come to the US for training.
Currently at the US air base "Luke" in Arizona there are four Turkish pilots trained. Two more pilots are working as instructors.
Agency sources said they did not rule out that the decision could be reversed if Ankara changes its plans for the S-400. According to the agency, a decision on Turkish servicemen currently in training has not been made.
