WASHINGTON _ The Pentagon warned Turkey that it will suspend training of its pilots on the advanced F-35 fighter jet at the end of July and terminate Turkey's participation in the fighter jet program if it pursues the purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, in a letter sent Thursday to Turkey's minister of defense Hulusi Akar, said Turkish pilots currently training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona would have time to complete their flight training by July 31, but that no new students would be accepted.
In addition, Turkey's participation in the program, such as producing hundreds of parts that make up the F-35s fuselage and engines, would be phased out. The Pentagon said the phase-out would occur over time so as not to disrupt the F-35 production line, but would be completed by early 2020.
