Pentagon sends Congress report on Turkey's F-35 program

By Hakan Copur and Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. Defense Department submitted its report to Congress this week that includes an assessment of Turkey’s participation in F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

Lt. Col. Mike Andrews, the spokesman for Pentagon, told Anadolu Agency on Friday that the department "provided the NDAA-required Secretary of Defense F-35 report to Congress for their decision on the way forward.

"Department leadership will continue to work closely with Congress to answer any of their questions," said Andrews.

Andrews said the Pentagon may have an "unclassified update" about the report next week.

In August, the U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $716 billion defense spending bill, which included an amendment prohibiting transfers to Turkey of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets until the Pentagon issues a report on Turkish-American relations in 90 days.

The report includes an assessment of Turkey's participation in the F-35 program as well as the risks would be posed by the country's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

Turkey's removal from the F-35 program was taken out of the bill by the Congressional Conference Committee.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, in a letter to the Senate on July 7, opposed Turkey’s removal from the program, saying it could cause a disruption in a supply chain for the U.S. military and its partners while increasing other program costs.

Turkey plans to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets in coming years.