Ankara: We don't need fighter jets; America should return the money to Turkey

Turkey's foreign minister said Ankara will not wait for the US decision to approve the purchase of F-35 fighters and wants to withdraw a $1.4 billion order. Turkey ordered 100 F-35 fighters worth $1.4 billion to Washington and paid the amount for this purchase of military equipment, but former US President Donald Trump announced in early summer 2019 that the delivery of F-35 fighters was canceled due to the fact that Turkey bought Russian missile system S-400.

The Turkish government, which also participated in the aircraft production program, has been trying to convince the US government to place an order for the past three years, but Washington officials always claim Congressional approval of Turkey's fighter delivery is a legal requirement. On the other hand, the Ankara authorities have announced that they are refusing to buy after the US Congress blocked and opposed the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and wants to receive the amount paid under the military purchase contract.

Ankara has rejected the American statement about the danger of S-400 missile defense systems for F-35 fighters. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in an interview with CNN, referring to the start of Ankara's actions to recover the amount of the F-35 purchase from the United States and holding meetings between officials of the two countries, said: "Turkey cannot wait for the approval of the US Congress, as well as for the failed purchase order Patriot missiles.