Page 16 - ADT AUG - OCT 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

of the F-35 program.” government has stayed away from background of the country exploring
imposing economic sanctions other options after dropping previ-
The F-35 Question against Russia and has not closed ous plans to acquire Russian fighter
its airspace to Russian civilian jets. With Türkiye intent on diversify-
Six F-35 jets originally intended for flights. But given the ongoing war ing its supplier base of combat jets,
Türkiye remain stored at U.S. air and the stand taken by Türkiye in the Eurofighter Typhoon remains
bases. With fences being mended, favour of Ukraine in the ongoing a viable alternative, but there are
there is even talk of Türkiye conflict, defence analysts expect reports that Germany, a partner
being part of the F-35 program the two countries to find a mutually in the Eurofighter program, may
again. During a visit to Türkiye acceptable solution for the current oppose the acquisition.
this January, then-Acting Deputy imbroglio. There are unconfirmed
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland reports that Ankara is pushing for
was quoted as saying, “If we can the inclusion of an amendment A Staunch Ally
get through this (S-400 acqui- in the 2025 US defence budget Along with other NATO countries,
sition) issue, then the CAATSA (NDAA) that would allow it to avoid Türkiye has helped strengthen
issue will go away, and we can get sanctions over the defence system. Ukraine’s defence capabilities as
back into an F-35 conversation.” part of the joint effort to defeat

Türkiye is yet to activate the S-400 More Deals on the Cards? Russian aggression. The country
and has placed it in a storage has also closed the Straits to war-
facility, but has not expressed will- The improved relationship between ships, and opposed Russian claims
ingness to give it up. U.S. officials, the two countries, and Türkiye’s to Ukrainian territory. In fact, Ankara
on their part, have maintained that geopolitical importance to and has been helping Ukraine boost its
any resolution to the sanctions military strength within the NATO defence capabilities much before
will happen only after complying alliance, might result in more arms the ongoing conflict began, with
with legal requirements under the deals. According to Turkish media initial discussions on defence indus-
National Defense Authorization reports, the U.S. has expressed trial cooperation taking place as
Act (NDAA). Ankara continues to openness to selling Boeing F-15C early as 2015. The flourishing rela-
rely on Russia for about 40% of its Eagle or F-15EX Eagle II fighters tionship between the two countries
natural gas imports, but Washington to Türkiye. Türkiye ’s domestic have resulted in more than thirty
is quietly supportive of Türkiye’s industry, which has improved its joint defence projects so far, includ-
growing ties to countries such as capabilities considerably over the ing in critical areas such as drones,
Ukraine and Poland as it would last decade, is also keen on inte- motors, electronics, ground systems
counterbalance Russian regional grating locally produced missiles and naval vessels. Analysts expect
prominence. and ammunition into the upgraded defence cooperation between the
F-16s. two countries to flourish even after
Türkiye’s economic and energy the ongoing conflict.
ties with Russia remain a cause of The talk about Türkiye’s poten-
concern for the U.S.; the Turkish tial interest in F-15s comes in the
Ukraine has also used Turkish
weapons extensively, includ-
ing drones and mine-resistant
ambush-resistant (MRAP) vehicles,
during the ongoing war. The TB2,
manufactured by Turkish company
Baykar, grabbed the headlines in
the initial weeks of the Russian
invasion as it was used to destroy
several Russian assets, including
tanks, artillery, and naval ships. So
resounding has been its success
in Ukraine that Baykar is currently
building a factory near Kyiv in
Ukraine to produce its TB2 and
TB3 drones. According to reports,
the factory will be able to produce
around 120 drones per year..

16 | AUGUST - OCTOBER 2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT