Kalın gave information about the aircraft acquisition talks between Turkey and the United States. Attending the 2021-2022 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of a university in Ankara, Kalın answered journalists’ questions. Kalın conveyed his thoughts on the F-16 supply, the F-35 Program, the privilege applied to India on S-400 and the allegations that the S-400s were transported to İncirlik Air Base.
An American news outlet stated yesterday that Russia’s S-400 air defence system had been transported to İncirlik Air Base. The Pentagon was mentioned as the source for the assertions by the station. Even though this storey was quickly proven to be false, several media outlets reported it as a “claim.” This question was posed to Kalın. After stating that the report in this regard was disputed by the Ministry of National Defence yesterday, Kalın went on to say, “There is no such thing.” The S-400 is still a process in its own process. It contains technological and security concerns, which our Ministry of National Defence manages. The S-400 isn’t anything new. The claims that he relocated to İncirlik are equally false.”
“If the F-35 Program problem cannot be handled now, then we do not have the luxury of wasting time,” Kalın remarked, referring to the one-time payment for the F-35 about the purchase of the F-16. We can try to compensate for this with F-16s, which the American government has shown interest in so far. Of course, certain technical concerns need to be addressed right now.”
According to Kalın, at the Erdogan-Biden discussion, Biden asked that the needs be determined. Kalın urged the US government not to overlook Turkey’s role in Afghanistan, Syria, the Caucasus, and Libya, which are intricately linked to global politics.
In response to a query on the F-35, Kalın stated, “Our preference is to be in the F-35 Program.” He added, “The fact that Turkey was banned from the F-35 Program owing to CAATSA sanctions is an unfair and unlawful activity.” In fact, a measure is currently being debated in the US Congress to grant an exception to India, which has acquired the S-400. Assume the only difficulty is the procurement of significant numbers of Russian armaments. Why are these nations given exceptions? Why is this censure imposed on Turkey if there is no such rule? “Asking this question is our most natural right,” he added.
