Article

2019-07-18 The Grand Turk

U.S. officials wonder: Did Turkish leader's coup memories drive Russia arms deal?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For some U.S. officials, the Trump administration’s failure to persuade Turkey not to buy a Russian air defense system may have its roots in a coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan three years ago this week.

While they recognize that worsening U.S. relations with Turkey in recent years and Russia’s growing clout with Ankara may also have helped sway Turkey toward buying the S-400 system, three U.S. officials and a defense source told Reuters of another working theory that has gained ground within the Trump administration.

One reason Erdogan may have chosen to buy from Russia rather than from a fellow NATO member is that he might be wary of his own air force, which played a major role in the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, these officials say.

S-400 missiles, which Turkey began taking delivery of last Friday, would be better at fending off any attack on the Turkish government from its own jets than a U.S.-supplied Patriot system would, experts say.

Raytheon Co’s’s Patriot missiles, which have been on offer to Turkey, would have safeguards to help avoid "friendly fire" against other NATO warplanes, such as Turkish air force jets.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-07-18 03:15|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top
File under: Sublime Porte

#1 One reason Erdogan may have chosen to buy from Russia rather than from a fellow NATO member is that he might be wary of his own air force, which played a major role in the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, these officials say.

An entirely plausible theory.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-07-18 03:22|| 2019-07-18 03:22|| Front Page Top

#2 Nah. He arranged the "coup" as the pretext for a purge. I will buy that he wanted something not subject to NATO IFF, though.

Posted by Rob Crawford 2019-07-18 07:11|| 2019-07-18 07:11|| Front Page Top

#3 Nah. He arranged the "coup" as the pretext for a purge.

Also entirely plausible.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-07-18 09:51|| 2019-07-18 09:51|| Front Page Top

#4 Embrace the power of "AND".

Posted by AlanC 2019-07-18 11:44|| 2019-07-18 11:44|| Front Page Top

#5 LM plans to build / sell almost 4000 F-35s. I don't see them letting Turkey hold that up.

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-07-18 12:52|| 2019-07-18 12:52|| Front Page Top

19:10 Rambler
18:30 DooDahMan
18:28 DooDahMan
18:12 Matt
17:45 trailing wife
16:37 Gleng Whaick2262
16:35 Regular joe
15:22 Super Hose
15:13 Silentbrick
14:47 SteveS
14:37 Vortigern Speaking for Boskone4685
14:23 swksvolFF
14:22 SteveS
13:55 Thing From Snowy Mountain
13:50 swksvolFF
13:48 swksvolFF
13:42 badanov
13:35 ed in texas
13:35 Elmomoter Mussolini9149
13:32 Elmomoter Mussolini9149
13:31 Elmomoter Mussolini9149
13:24 magpie
13:20 Frank G
13:19 ed in texas