It would be incredibly difficult for Turkey to return to the F-35 program, Lockheed Martin VP says
ORLANDO, Fla., - Bringing Turkey back into Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program, following the nation’s messy multibillion-dollar deal with Russia, would be a colossal task for the Pentagon’s top weapons supplier, reports Amanda Macias for CNBC. Continue reading original article.
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
March 2, 2020-Greg Ulmer, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, told CNBC at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida that "I think, politics aside, if we reintroduce Turkey into the program it would essentially be a restart. "There would probably be some elements that are really simple and elements that are pretty difficult. I think you’d have to essentially treat it as a new start bringing them back into the program."
Turkey, a NATO ally of the United States, accepted a missile system from American rival Russia last year. "If Turkey accepts delivery of the S-400, they will not receive the F-35. It's that simple," said acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in June 2019.
Related: Russia starts delivery of S-400 missile system to Turkey, setting up standoff with US
Related: Turkish Aerospace Industries delivers first air inlet duct for F-35 to Northrop Grumman
Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace