ANKARA -- The Turkish government is appealing to President Donald J. Trump to resolve a dispute over its purchase of S-400 air defense systems from Russia. This purchased has soured relations between Turkey and the United States.
Turkey explained to the President Trump why it needs the S-400s and claims it has received positive feedback. Turkey wants the S-400s to defend Istanbul, the country's commercial center, and its capital, Ankara. The Turkish government says it ordered the S-400s after the U.S. refused to sell it Patriot surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
The U.S. says the S-400 is designed to shoot down American and allied aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Turkey is involved in the manufacture of the F-35. Washington worries F-35 technology could leak to Russia and used to improve the S-400.
Turkey says the S-400 will operate independently from other Western-built air defense systems operated by NATO. Furthermore, media reports say Turkey could station its S-400s in Azerbaijan or Qatar. Turkey might acquire the S-400s, but place the system in storage.
Now, the U.S. is offering to sell Turkey the Patriot SAM. Turkey wants the deal to include technology transfers.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart