Turkey’s ‘Khalifa’ Erdogan furious after Donald Trump offers India a powerful weapon called…, and the reason is..
In contrast to what happened to Turkey, India did not face any military sanctions from Washington for purchasing the same S-400 defence system. Scroll down for details.
When US President Donald Trump met Indian PM Narendra Modi last week, he offered India the advanced fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jet, which was viewed as a significant milestone in India-US defence relations. Speaking to reporters after the announcement of the same, President Trump had stated, “We will expand military sales to India worth several billion dollars. We are also paving the way to provide the F-35 stealth fighter to India.”
Reports across the globe interpreted this as a sign of growing ties between New Delhi and Washington. However, this key defence development is likely to frustrate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Here’s why.
Why Turkey would be angry!
Ankara had intended to acquire at least 100 F-35A jets, but tensions escalated after Turkey signed a deal with Moscow in 2017 to purchase the S-400 air defense system, dashing Erdogan’s aspirations. Washington’s response went beyond expelling Turkey from the F-35 program—it also imposed military sanctions on Ankara under CAATSA. The sole reason for these punitive measures was Turkey’s decision to procure the Russian S-400 system.
In contrast to what happened to Turkey, India did not face any military sanctions from Washington for purchasing the same S-400 defence system. Instead, the U.S. is actively encouraging India to consider acquiring F-35 fighter jets. This stark difference in treatment between Turkey and India is evident.
US to pave way for providing F-35 stealth fighter planes to India
In a significant announcement, US President Donald Trump said that the United States will be increasing its military sales to India by billions of dollars and his administration is paving the way to provide India with F35 Stealth fighters.
“Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F35, Stealth fighters,” Trump said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral talks.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, took part in the 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru earlier this month.
The fighter jet integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Earlier in the day, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from agencies)
