U.S.-Turkey Standoff Over F-35 Escalates As Each Side Waits For The Other To Blink
Turkey is buying 100 F-35 jet fighters from the U.S. — and an anti-aircraft missile defense system from Russia.
The U.S. has suspended the delivery of parts and program materials to Turkey that it needs for standing up a key $12 billion jet fighter program there. The U.S. Defense Department says deliveries will not resume unless Ankara abandons its planned acquisition of a Russian missile defense system.
It's the latest slap in an escalating showdown between two longtime NATO allies whose ties have become increasingly strained in recent years.
At issue are two big arms deals being pursued by Ankara. Turkey wants to buy 100 F-35s, Lockheed Martin Corp.'s latest generation of stealth jet fighters. Turkey also intends to install Russia's advanced S-400 air-defense missile system.
U.S. officials
