Gül approves F-35 dealSaturday, May 31, 2008
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
President Abdullah Gül approved a law Friday that makes Turkey a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) Program.
The law, which approves a Memorandum of Understanding, Bilateral Supplement and Financial Management Procedures Document, allowing Turkey to join the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Phase, or PSFD, of the Joint Strike Fighter Program, was adopted by Parliament last Thursday.
The JSF program is the world's largest defense project, with a budget of $250 billion. JSF, also known as F-35, will replace aging F-4s and F-16s, whose economic and technological life is near expiration. The JSF program is led by the United States and the United Kingdom, while Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Canada and Australia are also participants. Turkey has been a member since 1999.
Turkey, a third-level participant, contributes $175 million to the program and is expected to buy 100 F-35s with conventional take-off and landing capabilities. The first F-35 delivery to Turkey is planned for 2014.
Speaking at the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges, or TOBB, Friday, Gül said Turkey is obligated to increase its stability, solidarity and tranquility while the world is in a state of great economic turmoil. �If joint action is not taken in these critical conditions, Turkey's strategic aims may be impaired. It is impossible to make up for strategic losses,� warned Gül.
© 2005 Dogan Daily News Inc.
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