After stopping the training .. America hangs the flights of pilots "F-35" Turks

In a new move against Turkey, Locke Air Force Commander Todd Canterbury announced the suspension of flights by Turkish pilots to F-35 fighter jets for security reasons after they decided to stop training Turkish pilots on this type of aircraft.

A senior Pentagon official said Canterbury had issued an order to stop operations for Turkish pilots, which was not contrary to the letter sent by Defense Minister Patrick Chanahan to Turkish Defense Minister Khulosi Akar.

"If Turkey does not change its policy, we will work with our Turkish allies to reduce their participation in the F-35 program," Pentagon spokesman Mike Andrews said.

Previous tips
Earlier, the administration - which does not want to buy Turkey's S-400 missile defense system from Russia - hinted at the possibility of taking a step to impose sanctions, including not delivering Ankara F-35 fighter jets.

The Turkish defense minister, Shanahan, told Washington that Washington was taking a series of steps with regard to Turkey's participation in the F-35 fighter program, according to a report in the US Foreign Policy magazine.

According to the news, Shanahan sent a letter to Khulosi Akar informing him of the decision of the United States to take a series of steps from July 31 next, concerning the participation of Ankara in the program, including the suspension of training of Turkish pilots.

Discounted prices
In a related context, the US Department of Defense signed a $ 34 billion deal with Lockheed Martin to produce 478 new F-35 fighter jets, reducing its price to less than $ 80 million.

US Defense Secretary in charge of procurement Ellen Lord said the Pentagon and the fighter manufacturer had agreed to reduce the price of the fighter jets to less than $ 80 million in a deal worth $ 34 billion.

The Pentagon also approved the option of buying 321 fighter jets over the next two years, with a price cut of 15 percent on all models.

Two trainers, four pilots and 20 Turkish Air Force maintenance personnel are receiving training at Locke Air Base, while Turkey is one of the partner countries in the fighter manufacturing project. Ankara paid about 90 million dollars under the project.

The F-35 is a multi-mission fighter, capable of being used in infantry, navy and air forces, has great maneuvering capabilities and has electronic and technical detection capabilities.