Turkey’s Exit Would Disrupt F-35 Production for Two Years, Require Rebidding: JPO

Removing Turkey from F-35 Jet's Supply Chain Could Slow Work On 75 Jets: Navy Officer (excerpt)

WASHINGTON --- If Turkey were removed from the F-35 jet supply chain amid a dispute with the United States over its planned purchase of a Russian missile system, it would impact the production rate for up to 75 of the fighters, a Pentagon official said on Thursday.

The United States has halted delivery of equipment related to the stealthy fighter aircraft to Turkey. It was the first concrete American step to block delivery of the jet to the NATO ally in light of the planned purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.

“The evaluation of Turkey stopping would be between 50- and 75-airplane impact over a two-year period,” the head of the F-35 program, Navy Vice Admiral Mathias Winter, told a U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee subcommittee.

Turkey produces between 6 percent and 7 percent of the parts for the F-35, Winter said. (end of excerpt)

Click here for the full story, on the Reuters website.
https://reut.rs/2VqiQ4K

Click here for Adm. Winter’s prepared remarks before the April 4 hearing of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee
http://bit.ly/2CYoGmN

-ends-

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from Defense Aerospace - Press releases http://bit.ly/2VnMjwt
via Defense