WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2019) The United States is closer to making a final decision on whether to allow Turkey to remain in the US F-35 jet program amid the dispute over Ankara's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems, US Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told reporters.
"We're closer," Shanahan said on Thursday when asked if the Defense Department was any closer to coming to a final decision on whether to keep Turkey in the F-35 program.
Shanahan explained that he is optimistic the United States and Turkey will be able to resolve the issues surrounding Ankara's purchase of the S-400 air defense systems.
On Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar expressed satisfaction over his negotiations with Shanahan and said that Turkey had fulfilled its commitments within the F-35 jet project.
Turkey is one of the seven country participants in the US-led F-35 program. The United States has repeatedly threatened Ankara with sanctions for possible acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense systems and has not ruled out delaying or canceling the process of selling the F-35 aircraft to Turkey.
Ankara has said that the purchase of military equipment is its sovereign affair and ruled out the possibility of abandoning its plans.
