Pentagon’s F-35 decision: New era for Turko-American relations?

TURKEY - In Brief 02 Jul 2020 by Atilla Yesilada

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Pentagon announced on Tuesday that deliveries ofF-35 parts from Turkey will continue through 2022.Local press also expressed views that after the sacking of DA Geoffrey Berman, the ongoing Halkbank trial will be postponed to February 2021, as Judge Richard Berman is also considering a plea by Halkbank attorneys to recuse himself.These two developments and in general Erdogan’s recent silence regarding the friction points in Turkey-US relations may have evoked hope that the erstwhile strategic partners will mend broken ties.I understand that both Pentagon decision and a potential postponement ofHalkbank case are technical or procedural in nature thus having little or no signaling effect on the direction of the relationship.The future of the relationship still almost entirely depends on the outcome of US November presidential elections. Instead of lengthy elaboration of my views re the a.m. events, allow me to quote sources I believe to be reliable and knowledgeable: “After Ankara’s ouster, the F-35 program found new sources for 1,005 parts previously produced by Turkish suppliers. In May, an official from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had also stated that Turkish firms will provide F-35 parts through the end of lot 14 deliveries (scheduled to take place through 2022), in part, to avoid disruptions to aircraft deliveries and additional cost growth from standing up new suppliers. The goal is to avoid costly, disruptive and wasteful contract terminations, Andrews was quoted as saying by the GAO report. Alternate sources “have been identified for all Turkish-made parts and will be utilized as the Turkish contracts lapse and material is delivered,” the official a...