President Trump is on board with launching a joint technical study examining the consequences of pairing the F-35 fighter jet with a Russian missile system as Turkey has proposed, according to a new report.
Although the Pentagon and the State Department were opposed to forming the study group, Trump told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Wednesday he would accept Ankara’s request for the study, the Middle East Eye reports.
Turkey, a potential buyer and partner in producing the F-35 aircraft, wants to use the Russian S-400 missile system with the fighter jets. But the U.S. and other NATO allies that use the F-35 aircraft are worried that the Russian anti-aircraft system could learn to detect the F-35, jeopardizing the safety of the aircraft from Russian systems.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters Friday morning he didn’t know of Turkey’s request for a study on the S-400. However, he said he’s spoken with his Turkish counterpart and said progress was being made as Turkey faces threats of being kicked out of the F-35 program.
“They are a strategic partner, so I’m not going to do tit-for-tat with a strategic partner,” Shanahan said, according to Reuters.
Although Turkey makes some of the parts for the F-35, the Pentagon confirmed this month the U.S. was searching for alternative sources to supply parts currently made by Turkey.
The House and the Senate Armed Services committees have language in their versions of the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit Turkey from receiving the F-35 aircraft if Ankara completes its purchase of the S-400.
Trump Thursday morning spoke with reporters about about his conversation with Erdoğan, explaining that Turkey released former NASA scientist Serkan Golge, a dual Turkish and American citizen.
“They released this prisoner, hostage, whatever you want to call him,” Trump said. “He’s at home custody in Turkey. He’ll be released fairly soon, so that’s good news.”
