Amid reports that a bipartisan pair of senators are pushing the Trump administration to approve Turkey, it said it would not allow the U.S. Is testing a Russian-made missile defense system using a jet made by.
For years, U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern about the purchase of a Russian-made S-400 air defense system by NATO ally Turkey and called for the need for U.S. law to ban those who trade with Russia’s defense industry.
The latest push comes amid reports that Turkey has activated radar to search for US-made F-16 fighter jets in Greece following an international military exercise and plans to conduct a comprehensive test of the missile defense system next week.
“We are reporting on public reports that Turkey has activated the radar of its Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft system to detect US-made F-16 fighter jets returning from the Unomia exercise conducted by France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. In late August in response to Turkey’s uncontrolled invasion of the Eastern Mediterranean, “Sens. Chris Van HolenChristopher (Chris) Van Hollenmackers stepped up pressure on the administration to make parole tax differential alternatives for federal workers, Congress must finish work on the popular defense bill before the deadline expires, Democrats fear Russia’s intervention could push the Senate back. Is. (D-Mo.) And James LanknfordJames Paul Ford Ford Nkford MC Cnell: Trump plans to confirm Supreme Court choice before election COVID threat of outbreak GOP’s Supreme Court plans to leave the city for two weeks amid coronavirus outbreak More (R-Okla.) Wrote in a letter to the Secretary of State on Wednesday Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard Pompeo President’s Four Prospects Need to Unite Against China The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by Facebook – Trump has resumed the White House and Watch Chadg Group’s masquerade COVED-19 recovery, says Trump’s trade adviser Should be fired for more.
“Given this information, we again urge you to impose sanctions on Turkey as required by law,” he added.
The pair also asked Pompeo if Turkey had actually enabled S-400 radars to detect F-16s and whether the country had integrated the system into NATO’s strategic data link, asking if Russia would be able to gather information from NATO allies. Why. ”
U.S. Despite warnings from officials, U.S. Turkey took delivery of the S-400 system last year, despite warnings that the F-35 fighter jet was a threat and meant sanctions.
In response to the S-400 purchase, the Pentagon kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program.
But the Trump administration has never imposed a ban on purchases, despite the need for a ban on Russia’s defense traders by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
In addition, despite officially kicking Anjar out of the F-35 program, the Pentagon has said Turkey will continue to make part for the jet until 2022.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Turkey is planning next week to test the readiness of the S-400 and its crew at a location in the Black Sea region of Sinop province. That report follows a report in a Greek newspaper about Turkey activating S-400 radar to track Greek F-16s after the Unomia exercise.
The August Gust incident is not the first time Turkey has used the S-400 to track F-16s. Last year, Turkey tested radar over its own F-16 flight over Ankara.
“Reports from this activation make it clear that Turkey has no intention of returning to the course and diving into the system,” Van Holen and Lankford wrote. “Furthermore, the Department of Defense has expressed no doubt about the slow pace at which Turkey is moving away from the F-35 supply chain. [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan. ”
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