Kalın gave information about the aircraft acquisition talks between Turkey and the United States. Attending the 2021-2022 Academic Year Opening Ceremony of a university in Ankara, Kalın answered journalists’ questions. Kalın conveyed his thoughts on the F-16 supply, the F-35 Program, the privilege applied to India on S-400 and the allegations that the S-400s were transported to İncirlik Air Base.
An American news
outlet stated yesterday that Russia’s S-400 air defence system had been
transported to İncirlik Air Base. The Pentagon was mentioned as the source for
the assertions by the station. Even though this storey was quickly proven to be
false, several media outlets reported it as a “claim.” This question was posed
to Kalın. After stating that the report in this regard was disputed by the
Ministry of National Defence yesterday, Kalın went on to say, “There is no such
thing.” The S-400 is still a process in its own process. It contains
technological and security concerns, which our Ministry of National Defence
manages. The S-400 isn’t anything new. The claims that he relocated to İncirlik
are equally false.”
“If the F-35 Program problem cannot be handled now, then we do not have the luxury of wasting time,” Kalın remarked, referring to the one-time payment for the F-35 about the purchase of the F-16. We can try to compensate for this with F-16s, which the American government has shown interest in so far. Of course, certain technical concerns need to be addressed right now.”
According to Kalın, at the Erdogan-Biden discussion, Biden asked that the needs be determined. Kalın urged the US government not to overlook Turkey’s role in Afghanistan, Syria, the Caucasus, and Libya, which are intricately linked to global politics.
In response to a query
on the F-35, Kalın stated, “Our preference is to be in the F-35 Program.” He
added, “The fact that Turkey was banned from the F-35 Program owing to CAATSA
sanctions is an unfair and unlawful activity.” In fact, a measure is currently
being debated in the US Congress to grant an exception to India, which has
acquired the S-400. Assume the only difficulty is the procurement of
significant numbers of Russian armaments. Why are these nations given
exceptions? Why is this censure imposed on Turkey if there is no such rule? “Asking
this question is our most natural right,” he added.