The Russian S-400 "Triumph" air defense system and the exclusion of Turkey from the program of the 5th F-35 fighters drama is continuing to occupy both turkish and american diplomatic pillars, and is a problem that the new Biden government is trying to solve, looking for every way to keep Ankara within NATO's sphere of influence.
On February 5, when asked about the Turkish S-400 missile case, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed Washington's position "has not changed," adding that "the S-400s are not compatible with the F- 35, and for this Turkey has been suspended from the 5th generation fighter jet program".
The key word in the entire Turkish F-35 acquisition program is "suspended", which translates into a situation that can change at any time.
Following a telephone conversation with a spokesman for the Turkish presidency last week, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, called for a "more constructive relationship between the United States and Turkey" to resolve their differences. "More effectively", adopting a "new approach".
The Pentagon then intervened, recalling its intransigence over the S-400 missile, while US Ambassador to Turkey David Sutherfield adopted a more peaceful tone, saying: "We hope the S-400 issue can be resolved. If not, we will focus on other areas of our cooperation that are not directly affected by the sanctions we have imposed. "
"We highly value the relationship with Turkey in all its dimensions. "In terms of security relations, Turkey is a valuable and essential partner of NATO, a strategic ally," he said.
Here we already see a difference of opinion between the Pentagon and US diplomacy, which is obvious and will certainly grow over time as far as Turkey is concerned, especially if it does not change course.
Turkey has violated a huge list of obligations and "red lines" with its military relations with China first and then with Russia, according to foreign sources, and this is not sitting well with any senior US official at the Pentagon.
Is Turkey the "new Iran"?
However, sanctions against the Turkish defense industry and its exclusion from the F-35 program risk facing Turkey with a new nightmare scenario similar to that of the Iranian air force in 1978.
Prior to the founding of the current Islamic Republic, Iran was a major customer of the US arms industry, and the country that purchased F-14 Tomcat, F-4 Phantom and F-5 Tiger II aircraft.
Following the fall of the Shah, the United States imposed an embargo on Iran, which left the Iranian air force in the lurch. Thus, the Turkish Air Force is not far from being in a similar situation, since its fleet of fighter jets consists mainly of F-4 Phantoms and F-16C / D, for the most part.
Turkey can only rely on itself to keep its large numbers of F-16 aircraft operational.
At the same time, Greece is modernizing its air force, with the purchase in record time, 18 Rafale from France, while there is talk of buying about 20 F-35A from the US.
Therefore, Turkey's room for maneuver is narrow in this area. One solution would undoubtedly be for Ankara to turn to Sweden and acquire the JAS-39 Gripen E / F ... But this aircraft has American components, which complicates the possible purchase.
Another solution would be to turn to Russia, and acquire a Su-35 or Su-57. Such a case was proposed by Ankara, but that would mean its official withdrawal from NATO and break of ties with the West.
Finally, the development of the TF-X, a 5th generation fighter aircraft, could be a solution with a horizon of 10 years later, provided that Turkish engineers can find an engine capable to support this type of fighter jet.
The US, on the other hand, fears that the purchase of the S-400 will help Turkey overtake NATO.
Some military analysts go even further, stressing that Ankara is still ready to sell its Russian missile systems to Washington. Turkey remains steadfast in its decision to this day, and steadfast as far as Russian S-400 missiles are concerned.
In March last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan categorically stated that Ankara's decision to buy the S-400 was based solely on the protection of Turkish airspace and the country's territorial integrity.
However, it is estimated that Erdogan has already decided to betray Moscow and cooperate with the US against Russia, provoking the wrath of the Kremlin.
