ArmInfo.Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems will deprive it of access to NATO technologies, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Heidi Grant.
According to her, Ankara's implementation of the announced plans to acquire S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia is likely to entail the adoption of other measures limiting Turkey's ability to purchase and use American multifunctional F-35 fifth generation of fighter-bombers
"Confirmation of the information on the actual achievement of the agreement between Moscow and Ankara on the acquisition of the S-400 will have a serious impact on the further military cooperation of Turkey with NATO." Until now, the US has not subjected this transaction from the position of an influential member of the North Atlantic alliance to serious analysis. we intend to start considering the provision of cooperation with Turkey in the future, "said the representative of the US Air Force.
Grant said that the US strategy to cooperate with S-400 systems does not allow, stressing that the mentioned intentions of Turkey will significantly complicate the planned for 2018 transfer to this country of the first F-35 aircraft. "This causes serious concern not only for the US, as we must ensure the safety of high technology, but also for all our partners and allies that have already acquired the F-35," Grant summed up.