If the congressional hurdle is not overcome, Turkey will look for alternatives, the spokesman of the Turkish presidency said
The great nervousness of the Turkish government regarding the F-16 program was once again expressed by Ibrahim Kalinwho stated that Ankara wants to stay in the program, but is not going to accept the terms and conditions set by the US and especially Congress.
As reported by SKAI’s correspondent in Istanbul, Manolis Kostidis, the representative of the Turkish presidency again referred to Greece, saying that if the US gives the F-35s to Athens, then they will lose their neutrality in NATO.
“If in the Congress some senators like Menendezbring this issue (s.s. Sweden Finland) as a condition and if at the same time they respond positively to the request of Greece for the F-35, they will lose their neutrality in NATO. If they make this a condition, there is no way we can accept it. I say it clearly. There is no way for us to take any step if there is such a thing. If the F-16 program depends on its inclusion Sweden and Finland in NATO, it would be better not to put it on their agenda at all. There is no way to back down on these issues, they are all separate.”
And he continues: “We see the F-16 program as an honorable alternative to strengthen our Air Force, but also to strengthen NATO. If the US government or the Congress set conditions or say “if you don’t do this this won’t happen”, we will continue our course and will not stay with our hands tied. The Turkish Armed Forces for its modernization and needs will look for other alternatives.”
QUESTION: If there is such a premise, can we say that the F-16 campaign ends?
“It depends on the conditions. We want to continue this program. We know that this is the desire and intention of the government. But if they can’t get past the congressional hurdle and it gets stuck in Congress, then we’ll reassess.”
Question: There is information and claims that if a crisis arises on the subject of Sweden and Finland, the US will add the issue as a condition for the f-16 issue
“We also hear such information and rumors that the Congress will make something like this a prerequisite. There are such considerations. It was conveyed to us that the government has no such requirement or desire.”
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