Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak says Ankara may switch to buying the Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet if Washington decides to suspend the delivery of F-35.
According to Turkish media, Turkey would likely opt to purchase Russian Sukhoi Su-57 twin-engine warplanes in place of US F-35 single-engine stealth fighter jets if Washington suspends the delivery of the latter in response to Ankara’s sale of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia.
Earlier this week, a US Senate committee passed a defense policy bill, which would effectively bar the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partner Turkey.
More: Jane’s: India withdraws from FGFA project with Russia
The amendment to the $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), had been proposed by Democratic Senator from Michigan Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis.
More: Top Russian general reveals secrets of new Kinzhal hypersonic complex
The Sukhoi Su-57 is the designation for a stealth, single-seat, twin-engine multirole fifth-generation jet fighter being developed for air superiority and attack operations. The aircraft is the product of the PAK FA, a fifth-generation fighter programme of the Russian Air Force. Sukhoi’s internal name for the aircraft is T-50. The Su-57 will be the first aircraft in Russian military service to use stealth technology.
