tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362578068582861067.post9108989903163162631..comments2023-10-12T10:45:42.530-04:00Comments on Why the F-35?: Some questions emerge about Turkey, the F-35, Chinese missiles and NATOBarry Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463335145842065698noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362578068582861067.post-7444186473543699052013-11-20T12:39:42.314-05:002013-11-20T12:39:42.314-05:00Obama promised "transformation" and the ...Obama promised "transformation" and the world is getting it. Just today the Foreign Minister of Israel said his policy is to reduce Israeli dependence upon the USA and establish new strategic partners. They are about to be enriched with large oil and gas revenues so there is method to his words. As Obama's transformation accelerates in the ME, other countries will get the Israeli fever as China, Russia, India, Israel, Germany, France moves in to replace American security guarantees and safeguard their energy supplies. So how safe will advanced American hi-tech, like the F-35, be in the hands of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar? When they are wheeling and dealing for regime survival how determined will they be to protect some of the best equipment we have sold them? Outside of Australia, Japan and existing European buyers, I see major risks to our technology by selling into the Middle East.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362578068582861067.post-44055981407189702862013-11-19T19:05:10.704-05:002013-11-19T19:05:10.704-05:00I read that of the three bids, Turkey evaluated th...I read that of the three bids, Turkey evaluated the US patriot deal as the least competitive. While its likely that Turkey is using the Chinese firm for a better Euro or US deal, it is not entirely out of the question. PM Erdogan seems to want to distance himself from the US and Europe. Should Turkey purchase the HQ-9, it would be prudent to put F-35 sales to Turkey on ice. Matt https://www.blogger.com/profile/05556022213984454320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362578068582861067.post-13524492642037538052013-11-19T12:49:04.957-05:002013-11-19T12:49:04.957-05:00China already stole all the information it needs o...China already stole all the information it needs on the F-35, so that's not a factor. <br /><br />My guess is that Turkey is waiting for mid-January to see the next annual F-36 test report before they make any decision. There's nothing to indicate that the next report would be any less negative than last year's.Don Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00444968656600936525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1362578068582861067.post-86631882774385649072013-11-18T12:33:46.344-05:002013-11-18T12:33:46.344-05:00I've brought up Turkey before as a country the...I've brought up Turkey before as a country the US should not be selling the F-35 too. The US under Obama have downgraded US security interests in the Middle East, so much so that allies for the last 50 years are questioning their reliance on US security guarantees. Turkey's value to the US in such a world is diminished as well. Evidently Pres Obama doesn't see a US role is safeguarding free, unfettered supply of oil out of the ME either. Enter the Chinese who already are the largest importer of ME oil and the Saudi's biggest customer. Its inevitable that China will fill the vacuum Obama is creating in the ME and the Turkish decision is likely to not be reversed. Plus China has excellent relations with Tehran and this Chinese deal could offer Turkey a counter weight to Iranian expansionism, currently looking very successful.<br />Turkey's turn towards China is the first crack in the all American armor, but there will be a great many more cracks before it's a Middle East armed and protected by China. Unless the US gets new policies in the region.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com