Washington halts Turkish F-35 training pilots

Alanbatnews -

The training of Turkish pilots on F-35 fighter jets at a US air base has come to a halt as Ankara plans to buy Russian S-400 air defense system, US officials said on Tuesday.

"Without a change in Turkish policy, we will continue to work closely with our Turkish ally on winding down their participation in the F-35 program," Pentagon spokesman, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mike Andrews, said.

Washington has given Turkey until July 31 to "unwind" the deal to buy the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, warning of the consequences Ankara would face if it did not step back from the deal.