US lawmakers have been attempting to thwart Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems ever since the deal was signed in December 2017. Some senators suggested suspending F-35 shipments to Ankara as a measure to dissuade Turkey, ONA reports quoting sputniknews.
US General Curtis Scaparrotti told senators in the Senate Armed Services Committee that he doesn't recommend delivering F-35 jets to Ankara if it doesn't abort the S-400 missile defence deal with Russia. Scaparrotti is the current head of the United States European Command.
The general noted that he, as a military officer, doesn't advise allowing the top US jets to be used in countries that operate Russian military systems, especially air defence systems.
"I would say if they accept the S-400 and to establish it within Turkey […] it presents a problem to all our aircraft [and] specifically the F-35. My best military advice would be that we don't then follow through with the F-35 [supplies], flying it or working with an ally that's working with Russian systems, particularly air defence systems", he said.
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