Turkey had previously delayed their initial order for F-35s citing cost and technical problems. Apparently they're feeling much better about the program and are now eager to begin receiving their aircraft. It plans on a total order of 100:
Graff
Turkey’s procurement authorities will reissue an order for the first two F-35 joint strike fighters the country intended to buy but suspended at the beginning of this year.So, the program continues to gather momentum and pick up orders. That's a good thing.
“We will submit a request to the Defense Industry Executive Committee in December or January to renew our order for the first two aircraft,” Turkey’s top procurement official, Murad Bayar, said.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is the ultimate decision-maker on procurement. Its other members are Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel and Bayar.
Graff
Turkey's behavior over the last few years would cause me to pause their involvement in the JSF. They have needlessly inflamed tensions in the region with their hostility to Israel. They have stunned NATO by buying a Chinese air defense system which can only be integrated into NATO's system by giving the Chinese access to the US/NATO system and that won't happen.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a questionable country and maybe a sale that shouldn't go thru.
Not a questionable country, Certainly a questionable government. But then, who's isn't these days? ~Sigh
ReplyDelete