Washington has decided to stop accepting any additional Turkish pilots who planned to come to the United States to train with F-35 fighter jets, in a clear sign of the escalating dispute over Ankara's plans to purchase Russian air-defense systems.
The two NATO allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense system, which Washington says poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighters, which Turkey also plans to buy.
The two U.S. officials, who spoke to Reuters this week on condition of anonymity, left open the possibility the decision could be reversed, perhaps if Turkey altered its plans. They said the decision so far only applied to upcoming rounds of Turkish pilots and maintenance crews who would have normally come to the U.S.
There has not yet been a formal decision to halt the training of the Turkish pilots and maintenance crews now at Luke Air Force Base near Glendale, Arizona, the sources said. Still, Reuters reported last week that that step was being seriously considered.
According to the U.S. military, four Turkish pilots are currently training at Luke. Two additional Turkish pilots are at the U.S. base working as instructors. Beyond those six Turkish officers, there are an additional 20 Turkish aircraft maintainers at the base undergoing training as well.
Turkey has expressed an interest in buying 100 F-35 fighter jets, which at current prices, would have a total value of $9 billion.
