Turkey is not abandoning plans to receive US fifth-generation F-35 fighters or compensation for them. The next round of negotiations on this issue is to take place in January this year, said the country's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.
Turkey intends to finally resolve the issue of F-35 fighters with the United States; a new meeting of Turkish and American representatives is to take place in January and will most likely take place in Washington, where the Turks sent their delegation back in October last year. According to the Turkish Defense Minister, Ankara has clearly expressed its position and expects a response from the Americans. The Turks intend to receive either the fighters themselves, or compensation for them.
As reported at the end of last year, Ankara has asked the United States for the sale of new F-16 Viper fighters, as well as the supply of modernization packages for the already in service F-16 Block 30. In total, the Turks want to receive 70 new aircraft and 80 kits for modernization. Moreover, part of the funds that are planned to be spent on this purchase can be compensated from the amounts already paid by the United States for the F-35 fighters. According to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara gave the United States $ 1,4 billion in advance for fifth-generation fighters, but has not received any planes or funds so far.
In October last year, the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Department, Ismail Demir, said that if the F-16 deal was canceled, Turkey would consider purchasing Russian Su-35 and Su-57 fighters.
