Turkey is staring down a June deadline to cancel its purchase of a Russian missile system, The Washington Examiner says, citing a new report.
US gives Turkey a fortnight's deadline to reject Russia arms deal
STEPANAKERT, MAY 22, ARTSAKHPRESS: If it receives its purchase of the S-400 next month, the country will be ousted from Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program and will not receive 100 of the fighter jets it has ordered, and will also face US-imposed sanctions, according to CNBC.
Instead, the US has proposed that Turkey purchase Raytheon’s US-made Patriot missile defense system so it can remain in the F-35 program.
It’s unlikely there’s an opportunity for an extension past the first week of June. Sources at the State Department said the offer is final when asked if the deadline could be pushed back.
“NATO countries need to procure military equipment that is interoperable with NATO systems,” a State Department official told CNBC. “A Russian system would not meet that standard.”
“We underscore that Turkey will face very real and negative consequences if it completes its S-400 delivery,” the official said.
