Problems persist with the US on fighter planes

Today Zaman ^ | 1/22/2011 | Ercan Yavus

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Turkey is seriously reconsidering the myriad agreements it has signed with the US, as well as its participation in an international consortium for the procurement of new generation fighter jets, due to rising costs and persisting problems originating from the American side.

Turkey is now seeking new ways to sidestep difficulties in the procurement of F-16 fighter planes, which it has been jointly producing with the US since 1987, due to the delayed delivery by the US authorities of some of the plane’s parts and accessories. There have been serious doubts as to whether Turkey’s plan to purchase 100 F-35 fighter planes would ever materialize, as the country is thinking about withdrawing from the consortium following the hike in costs that resulted from other countries leaving from the consortium.

With 240 F-16s, Turkey has the third largest fleet of these fighter jets after the US and Israel. Turkey chose the F-16 to use in its air force in the early 1980s, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAİ) was established soon after the decision. Between 1987 and 1995, TAİ assembled 152 planes in the first phase of the F-16 project. The second phase took place between 1995 and 1999, and 80 planes were assembled. Turkey received its first overseas order for F-16 planes in 1993 from the Egyptian air force and assembled 46 planes for them.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

If the Turkish government does not want to buy the planes sell them to Taiwan.

[Frantzie]

Taiwan? Obama and General Electric gave away the USA to China this past Friday.

(Don’t be suprised if that really happened. The public is more interested in the Super Bowl).

We do know that GE handed the Chinese the domestic airliner and avoinics technology. Supposedly GE had bought up airliner technology as well as avionics technology to go with their engines.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

This article is about Turkey cancelling their contracts with the U.S. You did not read the article.

[kbennkc]

Turkey can go stuff themselves. They denied the use of airspace and facility for the invasion of Iraq. The only good thing is the 173rd got another combat jump.

If this don't get it goin , you're dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tChMaMUh0FY&feature=related

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The only reason we are dealing with Turkey is because of the energy question.Turkey has become an energy hub to the West.Turkey’s energy policy overlaps with EU’s energy security policy.