U.S. Senators Demand Final Removal of Turkey from F-35 Program

US senators demanded that the head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, completely exclude Turkey from the program for creating the fifth generation fighter F-35. According to a letter sent to the Minister of Defense, despite the ban, Turkish enterprises still produce parts for the aircraft.

A letter to Mark Esper demanding to explain Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program was sent by Republican Senators James Lankford and Tom Tillis, as well as US Democratic senators Gene Shahin and Chris Van Hollen. As follows from the text, despite the ban of the US Congress on the participation of Ankara in the program, Turkish enterprises continue to supply parts for the fighter.

Turkish manufacturers still manufacture and supply key elements, despite a legislative ban on such participation

- the letter says.

In addition, senators demanded that the Minister of Defense provide contacts of Turkish manufacturers, as well as contracts concluded with them indicating the beginning and end of the action.

The letter emphasizes that although the refusal to supply components for the F-35 from Turkey will create "financial difficulties" for the United States, it is "necessary to do".

Recall, the United States announced the exclusion of Turkey from the program for creating the F-35 after the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Washington refused to supply fifth-generation fighters to Ankara, for which Erdogan demanded either to return the money spent by Turkey on airplanes or to deliver the F-35.

Comments

[Grazdanin]

And what details make interesting?

[Dmitry Makarov]

Tires for the chassis and leather upholstery.

[alone]

In total, from 6 to 7% of all component parts of f-35. In addition, Turkish companies have orders from Boeing, Airbus and Sikorski. TUSAŞ alone has an order of 7 billion green.

[Oquzyurd]

Of the large ones, the cockpit, wings, many parts of the hull. And according to some reports, from 900 to 1200 parts and small elements are made in Turkey. It is also interesting that the semi-finished materials (for wings and hulls) are also made in Turkey, then turned into the final product in the same Turkey. That is, removing them from this program is not an easy task. Moreover, in the USA they understand this and extended production in Turkey until 2022. From 2022 they will postpone the bans once again. they don’t yet. And the Turks earn money, gain experience and technology, producing sophisticated materials and details. If they don’t even get f-35, it’s not a problem.

[Grazdanin]

There is information on the Turkish UDC instead of F35 what will happen?

[Zeev zeev]

You will have to do with helicopters. T-129, licensed copy of "Mongoose".

[Grazdanin]

Akinchi would be interesting to look at the UDC, the combat load they have is helicopter, unless of course it is possible to put them.

[Oquzyurd]

Recently it was announced that it was finally decided that shock UAVs would be produced specifically for the UDC. This is what Baykar is already doing. And the deck version of the Atak helicopters for the UDC is being prepared. But there are still some analysts who are still insisting that they can purchase pcs 8 "Harrier" for UDC, I don't remember, from Italy or from Spain ..

[Grazdanin]

Italy wants to get rid of them. Meaning from these harriers? The same Akinchi is much more interesting.

[WOLF330]

Trying to fuse the F-16 block 70)))

[Grazdanin]

I think they will eventually agree, before the presidential election, nothing will change fundamentally.

[Charik]

let the production be transferred to the Baltic states

[Doccor18]

If even so are expelled, then Erdogan has one road - for SU-35 and SU-57.

[Aaron Zawi]

Quote: Doccor18

If even so are expelled, then Erdogan has one road - for SU-35 and SU-57.

We will see.

[Grazdanin]

Why they do not understand Su35, Su 57 is not ready

[Zaurbek]

With Erdogan’s claim to expansion, a heavy fighter is quite suitable. Moreover, they produce RCC themselves, and even there is a small size of RMS.

[Grazdanin]

A new type of fighter is very, very expensive, F16 is better to buy. Su35 will not give anything fundamentally new to them. Drying is excessive in their pool.

[Zaurbek]

For self-defense it’s quite ... but for example, get Libya, if necessary?

[Grazdanin]

Directly 1000 km from Kemer to Libya, you can fly by corn.

[Zaurbek]

And back with nothing? And there you have to fly, some sort of mission to complete.

[Grazdanin]

Refueling for this is. In any case, we need bases in Libya. There is no point in buying Turkey F15 or the descendants of Su27, for their theater of operations they are superfluous, very expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, and they have no fundamental advantages over those standing in the ranks. If you take Russian, then you need to build a new infrastructure, to train pilots and maintenance personnel. The political consequences will be very serious, according to C400 they will agree to something, if there is still a deal on airplanes they will not be forgiven.

[Zaurbek]

It all depends on the appetites of Erdogan. The above actions are good for a country in NATO. A heavy fighter is more autonomous in use and it is both a long arm and a carrier of almost strategic cruise missiles that a light and medium fighter will not pull.

[Grazdanin]

It is necessary to watch a theater of war, for Russia such heavy multi-functional fighters are vital. What is a theater of turkey? The Black Sea, 300 km to Sevastopol, 20-30 km to Yerevan, 130 km to Tbilisi, 220 km to Sofia, 500 km to Odessa. The Mediterranean Sea Athens 250 km, Cairo 600-700 km, Damascus 300, Benghazi 1000 km, far from Tripoli, 1500-1700 km. Moreover, the troops on the islands of Greece are blocking all the exits to the Mediterranean Sea, so Turkey really needs bases in Libya. If you start to look at a map of questions about the need for a heavy fighter does not arise and what the Turks are doing in Libya, it becomes clear.

[Zaurbek]

Su30-35 is an air superiority fighter and a long arm at sea. And for this it is not enough to fly and turn back, but still loitering in the area. Hence their range and arsenal of weapons. And if you hit the "rear" of the CD, then who will be their carrier?

[Grazdanin]

Who will hit? Look at the arsenal of neighboring countries. Turkey has no interests outside the region. F16 capabilities are more than enough, the Turks still have some strong Navy. A heavy fighter is a toy of rich countries or to whom it is absolutely necessary. 95% of the real tasks performed by F15 or Su35 will also perform F16. Especially for Turkey, with access to 2 puddles, 3/4 of the mountain, backward neighbors. 2-3 bases in Libya will generally remove all problems in the region; they are primarily directed against Greece.

[Zaurbek]

Look at the interests of Erdogan .... in Libya, what did he forget? If the F-16 could search for targets there and bomb, then they would bomb.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Zaurbek

Look at the interests of Erdogan .... in Libya, what did he forget? If the F-16 could search for targets there and bomb

We need bases for the Navy and airfields against Greece and Egypt (I recommend I still look at the map), huge reserves of oil and gas are at hand with the main consumers. UAVs are used for ground attacks, which is much cheaper and more efficient. To fly constantly between Greece and Egypt is generally a very bad idea, and the bases will untie the hands of Turkey.

[Charik]

what a Turkish woman decided a desire — it is necessary — it is not necessary — that’s enough

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Zaurbek

Su30-35 is a fighter for gaining superiority in the air and a long arm at sea. And for this, it’s not enough to fly and turn back, but still to barrage in the area.

At least look at the map, what kind of sea it is. This is not Japan. To barrage in an area means to be shot down during hostilities. This is not the task of a fighter for sure. Secretly fly in, strike, fly away. A barrage is for peacetime, a demonstration of opportunities.

[Grazdanin]

Moreover, they are focused on the production of their aircraft, buying something new is generally pointless.

[Oquzyurd]

A recent exercise over the Mediterranean, 12 F-16,3 tankers, 1 AWACS and 1 rescue plane. They flew one way 1200 km above the sea, made various maneuvers, and back 1200 km. Airplanes launched from different bases in Turkey, from the west, from the south, and from the east, showing that with f-16 you can perform such tasks. Expensive, yes, but doable.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Oquzyurd

A recent exercise over the Mediterranean, 12 F-16,3 tankers, 1 AWACS and 1 rescue plane. They flew one way 1200 km above the sea, made various maneuvers, and back 1200 km. Airplanes launched from different bases in Turkey, from the west, from the south, and from the east, showing that with f-16 you can perform such tasks. Expensive, yes, but doable.

In fact, it’s cheaper than using a Su-30/35 or F-15 / F-18yu plane
For they also need a refueling tank, and Avax and the Savior during exercises and DB.

[Oquzyurd]

Turks say the F-16 will serve until 2035, undergoing modernization and care, and before that they will begin to produce their aircraft.

[Zaurbek]

In any case, they will produce a descendant of F16. Range from this will not increase.

[Oquzyurd]

The fact that the TFX mockup was shown can be said to vary in size and the envisaged range will be greater than they originally planned. But in any case, at large distances you need to have an aircraft tanker at hand.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Oquzyurd

you must have an aircraft tanker at hand.

USA makes MQ-25, UAV refueling. I think something on the type of and can run with Anadolu.

[Zaurbek]

The aircraft has a turbojet engine ..... Turkey does not produce a turbojet engine. And the USA does not export a new generation turbofan engine with high thrust (such as AL-41, or those that are on the F22 and F35.) Accordingly, the size of the TFX can not change much and will be + or -, like Rafale or Grippen.

[Oquzyurd]

"+ or -, like Rafale or Grippen." No, it will be much more, with two motors there will be enough thrust. Maybe it will lose in speed, but it does not matter, since these aircraft are flying platforms for high-precision and long-range rockets.

[Zaurbek]

Then, this is no longer a modern fighter. No supersonicity and maneuverability.

[Grazdanin]

Gripen has one engine and less than F16 by about a third, Rafal is almost the same size. One or two engines is primarily a saving on operation.

[WOLF330]

Well, less looms in the sight)

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Zaurbek

In any case, they will produce a descendant of F16. Range from this will not increase.

The range of the standard F-16 is greatly increased by the use of already-established - conformal fuel tanks. The use of two standard 2900 liter Outboard Fuel Tanks gives almost a doubling of the combat radius, compared to the standard one. To the level of 1500km.
The maximum 3 tons of the remaining combat load is quite enough to carry out any task.
Be shock, or gain superiority in the air.

No need to repeat the already obsolete mats about the superiority of heavy fighters.

[Grazdanin]

I think longer, until they fall apart, a successful aircraft with cheap operation.

[Doccor18]

Su35 will not give anything fundamentally new ..

I am not a pilot, but comparing the SU-35 and F-16, which are in service with the Turkish Air Force, is incorrect. Formally, one generation, but in reality ...

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Doccor18

Su35 will not give anything fundamentally new ..

I am not a pilot, but comparing the SU-35 and F-16, which are in service with the Turkish Air Force, is incorrect. Formally, one generation, but in reality ...

In reality, in a military clash over the Mediterranean Sea, without escort and guidance of ground services, when used in standard weapons, it is not regrettable, but the Su-35 is much less likely than the F-16 block 70 or 72.

[Quadro]

Quote: Doccor18

If even so are expelled, then Erdogan has one road - for SU-35 and SU-57.

And why the hell should we equip a competitor? The air defense systems in the export version are still fine - we are not going to attack. Why airplanes? We should rivet ourselves.

[Lipchanin]

The letter emphasizes that although the refusal to supply components for the F-35 from Turkey will create "financial difficulties" for the United States,

Oh what are we beeeeeded ...

[Cowbra]

So the F-35 program will generally be closed. Europe completely abandoned it, but its own ILC halved the order, now it’s also raising the cost of production - and a fat penguin will timidly hide a fat body in the same place where other heavy cuts from the Pentagon are hidden

[Zeev zeev]

Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Poland on the way ... And yes, all of Europe refused the F-35 ...

[Cowbra]

Fit-fit, all cannot fit. As well as the United States - to carry out state acceptance of the aircraft into service, as it was "limited to combat-ready", in this status it will go to the landfill along with the LCS.
Hiroam is a shroud!

[Zeev zeev]

The British, Italians and Norwegians have planes ALREADY in service. The Americans themselves have more than a thousand. Our country, Israel, not only bought "penguins", but also actively uses them.

[Cowbra]

The Americans are not in service. The military tests were again FAILED less than a year ago, and that there are more than 1000 of them - says that they steal cars there. Therefore, the ILC of the sturgeon was cut back by Germany and France, and Italy and Norway NOW - the F-35 was sent to the scrap.
In short, go, bot, go, your manuals are the same type - tired.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Cowbra

In short, go, bot, go, your manuals are the same type - tired.

...
I have been seeing the same thing for the 8th year ...
Hundreds have already changed. if not thousands of nicknames on this site - but they write the same thing, for many many years, word for word ...

so who has manuals?

[Quadro]

Quote: ZeevZeev

The British, Italians and Norwegians have planes ALREADY in service. The Americans themselves have more than a thousand. Our country, Israel, not only bought "penguins", but also actively uses them.

The fact that there are more than a thousand of them suggests that their own military-industrial complex fuses the air force with substandardness and marriage. There are flaws for a hundred like passes. And the Israeli Fu-35 is not an argument at all, it is pretty much sawed off.

[Zeev zeev]

If you think that the Elbit and Taasia Avirit companies do not make money on finishing F-35s supplied by Lockheed Martin to other clients, then you know very little Israeli businessmen from the military-industrial complex. All problems are solved, both by direct sale of technologies, and by modification of aircraft by the necessary specialists, either at the plant or in parts. By the way, I was a little mistaken, in the United States there are only 535 fighters of this type in service. The rest are in various stages of completion and testing.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: ZeevZeev

Do you think that Elbit and Taasia Avirit companies do not make money on finishing the F-35

Believe me, in the world no one thinks so))

[Vitaly gusin]

Quote: Cowbra

So the F-35 program will generally be closed. Europe completely abandoned it,

9 January. 2020 city
Please announce the whole list.
Lockheed Martin will make a contract with Singapore 12th countrywhich will buy the F-35 after Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, the UK and the USA
About 30-40 countries want to buy the F-35, but at a price similar to that of the F-16, which usually costs about $ 50 million.

[Grazdanin]

The F35 lineup is for 5-6 years, and the F-35B is generally uncontested at the moment.

[rotmistr60]

although the refusal to supply components for the F-35 from Turkey will create "financial difficulties" for the United States, but this "must be done."

As A. Raikin used to say - "Out of principle ..." and it doesn't matter what is at a loss. How so, confusion and vacillation in the bloc, do not want to carry out the orders of the chief (Turkey-S-400, old Europe 2%, etc.). Punish in any case.

[rocket757]

U.S. Senators Demand Final Removal of Turkey from F-35 Program

Cool .... well, these are not our troubles, ourselves, ourselves!

[013Azer]

Nothing, buy a MIG35. (Even the lack of F15 to compensate for these 35 matches.) Everything for the body kit of this aircraft is made in Turkey, missiles, EOS containers, communication can be changed to Turkish Aselsan, for the convenience of the operator himself, I think the manufacturer will not mind, as then with India where there are a lot of non-Russian things on airplanes.
I’m not talking about the purchase of SU-57 ..

[Grazdanin]

Turks except F16 from 4 generations will definitely not buy anything. It is easier, more profitable for them to wait for the production of their fighter. Mig 35 is not absolutely needed when there is a Su30 / 35.

[013Azer]

Quote: Grazdanin

Mig 35 is not absolutely needed when there is a Su30 / 35.

I disagree a little, the MiG-35 will be capable of several very important things that your designated SUs are not capable of, especially without an additional body kit. Among other things, this is a new aircraft, and there are many new things in it. And about "not needed" - with such an attitude IMHO amers with their F22 and F15 do not need any other fighters, because these 2 fighters seem to cover everything. As an example, this is all, I'm sorry I may be wrong.)

[Grazdanin]

Quote: 013Azer

about "not needed" - with such an attitude IMHO amers with their F22 and F15 do not need any other fighters

On the contrary, with F16 and F35 other fighters are not needed :) UAVs are needed. F22 and F15 have specific tasks in view of their greater carrying capacity and range. For large countries with long maritime and land borders A heavy fighter is necessary. The USA with F15 launched a rocket which shot down a satellite, for example. But for 99% of the countries in the world they are not needed, very expensive toys that will perform the same tasks as F16.
Mig 29/35 is a mistake of our military-industrial complex, they are not much cheaper to buy, in maintenance they cost almost the same as Dryers. In terms of Drying capabilities, these MiGs are superior, what is planned to be put at 35 can also be put on Su. Mig 29 is an analogue of the FA18, they are good on aircraft carriers. The main mistake in the Mig 29/35 is the use of two engines, if there was 1 then there would be a good car, and so it is meaningless.

[Charik]

and start bombing before the C400 is connected

[WOLF330]

Apparently it’s burning by the senators)) Well, the sooner the better .. for Turkey, of course!

[tolmachiev51]

Fashington survived! already the "drinking buddies" do not believe.