Russian Su-57 becomes the 'main backbone' of Turkish air force?
Ankara is likely to choose Russian stealth fighters if the US passes a bill banning the country from buying the F-35 super fighter.
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Su-57 fighter jet at the Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9. Photo:Sputnik |
NewspaperYeni SafakTürkiye's Defense Ministry today quoted an anonymous defense source as saying that Russia's Su-57 fighter jet is likely to become the main backbone of the Turkish air force in the future, if Washington decides not to deliver 100 F-35 fighters ordered by Ankara.
This source revealed that the terms of the purchase of Su-57 stealth fighters could be included in the defense technology cooperation and exchange agreement approved during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Türkiye in April.
The US Senate Armed Services Committee on May 24 approved an amended version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which removes Türkiye from the list of countries that can buy US F-35 stealth fighters. For the bill to become law, the US Senate needs to discuss with the House of Representatives to come up with a unified draft, which will be submitted to Congress for a vote later this year.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy warned that Ankara could take some retaliatory measures if the US Congress passes this bill.
Türkiye has ordered 30 F-35As and plans to order 70 more after the first contract is completed, to replace its aging fleet of F-4 Phantom IIs and F-16s. Two Turkish pilots are currently training in the US and will fly the F-35As back home with tanker support, an unnamed defense official said.
