US imposes sanctions against Turkey over Russian S-400 missile system

https://www.middleeasteye.net ^ | 14 December 2020 | By Sheren Khalel

[RomanSoldier19]

he Department of Treasury has levied sanctions against an agency within Turkey's Ministry of National Defence and its president over the country's acquisition and activation of a Russian-made missile defence system.

The Treasury on Monday said the long-awaited sanctions targeted Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), as well as its head, Ismail Demir, and three employees.

Turkey: US sanctions over S-400s to be mandatory in new defence bill Read More » Previously known as the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, in 2018 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a presidential decree renaming the office and putting it under the presidency’s direct control.

The sanctions were imposed against the agency, its president and other SSB officers "for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms export entity, by procuring the S-400 surface-to-air missile system", Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.

[RomanSoldier19]

[Ronin]

Have we canceled the F-35 deliveries? That should be a no-brainer.

[Alter Kaker]

We still have 50 nuclear weapons sitting, essentially indefensible, at Inkerlik Air Force Base. I guess in case the Turks want them.

[Hootowl99]

This article at The War Zone has additional detail and is probably a better reference.

Ronin, Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 Partnership in 2019. I know that this halted purchase by Turkey but have not researched to see if they were also kicked out of supplying components. If they were kicked out then this would mean someone else has to pick up the slack, which would probably slow down production.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38158/u-s-slams-turkey-with-sanctions-for-purchase-of-russias-s-400-air-defense-system

[bitt]

p

[Bob Ireland]

One wonders if Turkey’s days in NATO are numbered. Turkey - the Ottoman Empire - allied with Germany in WWI - disaster. Erdogan wants a new Ottoman Empire which may well turn out as badly as before.