Trump Assures Erdogan Patriot Missile Sale To Get Congress Approval - Reports
Umer Jamshaid Published December 22, 2018 | 06:02 PM
US President Donald Trump has assured his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that the Congress will not block a potential sale of Patriot missile systems to Ankara, Turkish media reported on Saturday, citing diplomatic sources.
According to the Hurriyet newspaper, the US president also pledged that there would no obstacles to the deliveries of US F-35 fighters to Turkey.
The reports come after the US Department of State announced on Tuesday that it authorized a proposed deal worth $3.5 billion for Patriot missile system and related equipment to Turkey. The decision is yet to be approved by the Congress. The announcement followed US-Turkey tensions over the latter's plans to purchase Russia's S-400 systems, despite Washington's threat of sanctions.
US officials have also warned that if Ankara goes ahead with its plans to purchase the S-400 systems, the United States could withhold the transfer of F-35 jets to Turkey. In addition, the US Congress has passed legislation that would block the transfer of the jets. On December 5, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that Ankara did not see any problems with the supply of F-35 fighter jets.
The first two F-35 fighter jets were transferred to Turkey at defense contractor Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas in June. According to Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, the United States will hand over two more F-35s in March 2019. The purchase is made under the US-sponsored multinational F-35 development program, which Ankara joined in 2002.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
Walker returns to captain Man City for Real Madrid clash
Action taken against price list violations in Khanewal district
DC chairs review meeting of DEG
Turkey accuses Israel's Netanyahu of using war 'to stay in power'
Pakistan ranked 5th most vulnerable country to climate change. Tirmizi
Nadal comeback ends in Barcelona Open second round
More Stories From World
-
Tesla asks shareholders to reapprove huge Musk pay deal
24 minutes ago -
Real Madrid exact revenge on Man City to reach Champions League semis
34 minutes ago -
German far-right firebrand in court for using Nazi slogan
34 minutes ago -
Gauff, Raducanu shine in Stuttgart
53 minutes ago -
Eight reported injured after Japan quake
54 minutes ago -
Error-plagued Gauff wins clay season opener, Raducanu shines
54 minutes ago
-
Tokyo shares open lower after US chip shares fall
54 minutes ago -
Ruling conservatives win most seats in Croatia election, but no majority
54 minutes ago -
US university cancels Muslim student's graduation speech after pro-Israel groups object, CAIR protes ..
2 hours ago -
EU weighs response to Russian 'interference' in election runup
7 hours ago -
Going 'backwards'? Whistleblowers slam Boeing safety culture
7 hours ago -
US to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela: officials
7 hours ago