The Pentagon has warned Turkey that it has until July 31 to not purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system or the NATO ally will no longer be allowed to buy the sophisticated F-35 fighter or participate in any aspects of the program.
The move is the latest escalation in a high-stakes war of wills between the two NATO allies over whether Turkey should purchase a Russian weapons system that U.S. officials say is"incompatible" with America's most sophisticated stealth fighter.
The United States wants Turkey to purchase American-made Patriot anti-missile systems instead of the Russian-made S-400's. But Turkish leaders have been adamant that they prefer the Russian missile system that they say is markedly better than the American system. In addition to not delivering the four F-35 aircraft that Turkey has already purchased Shanahan said no additional Turkish pilots would be trained in the United States past July 31. By that date, many Turkish pilots who have been training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona will have completed their courses prior to departing the United States.
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