National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar continues his contacts. In a written statement made by the Ministry, it was stated that Akar met with the British Defense Minister Ben Wallace.
The statement said, "In the phone call between Akar and Wallace, views were exchanged on bilateral and regional defense and security and cooperation in the defense industry."
Responding to journalists' questions yesterday, Akar said that Turkey's need for air defense emerged in the face of increasing risks, and that she wanted to buy Patriot from the United States and the SAMP-T made in France-Italy, but because this was not possible, the S-400 was purchased.
Akar stated that the control process of S-400s purchased from Russia is continuing and negotiations are continuing for the second package purchase, and said that the problem with the USA, which imposes sanctions on Turkey, should be resolved through dialogue.
WE WANT TO RETURN TO THE F-35 PROGRAM
Akar also stressed that Turkey is a partner that wants to return to the F-35 program.
Emphasizing that Turkey wants to return to the F-35 program, of which it is a partner, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said, “Serious time and energy was spent for the F-35. "Stopping this is a serious problem," he said.
Stating that the USA does not agree with the view that the S-400s will pose a problem to the operation of the F-35, Akar stated that these problems can be solved with dialogue, and a request such as the return of the S-400 will cause trouble. After Akar answered journalists' questions, the information that he had met with the British Defense Minister Ben Wallace was shared with the press.