Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Turkey Is Considering The Russian Su-57 Or Chinese J-31 Jets To Replace F-35s

© Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

Ahval: Turkey considers Russian Su-57, Chinese J-31 jets to replace F-35s - Yeni Şafak

Turkey’s security bureaucracy already has alternative plans in case the United States halts the delivery of the F-35 jets over Ankara’s decision to buy S-400 missile systems and has been considering Russian Su-57 or Chinese J-31 stealth fighters as possible options, pro-government Yeni Şafak daily said on Sunday.

As a last move of Washington’s increased pressure on Ankara to cancel the S-400 deal with Moscow, the Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan sent a letter to Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on Thursday detailing how Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program will be all but suspended as of July 31, unless Turkey withdraws from its planned purchase of Russian defence systems.

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Update: Turkey Has 'Plans B, C, D' to Replace F-35 With Su-57, J-31 if US Blocks Delivery – Report (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: The Russian option is not really feasible. The Russian air force does not have many of them, and their recent order to purchase 76 Su-57s will take a decade to complete .... Russia Orders 76 Su-57 Stealth Jets (May 18, 2019). Then there is the training of air crews, maintenance, parts, etc.. Nope. This is not a feasible option. The Chinese J-31 is even murkier. China is known to export military hardware and equipment at a good price, but fighter jets are an entirely different thing. This option is just like the Russian one.  It will be years before Turkey gets one jet, and then there is the training, maintenance, parts, etc., issue that will need to be worked out.

4 comments:

Bob Huntley said...

Murkier for sure, but a necessary step if the Russian and Chinese hope to become equal with the USA in air power. Personally I think both Russia and the Chinese should simply order massive numbers of F35s. The WIC would find that very tempting and somewhat conducive to their whole scheme of marketing and balance sheet enrichment that is.

Ultimately though space will take over and the country that has the most destructive capacity up there will neutralize air warfare superiority pretty quick, naval capability being toast from day one.

Anonymous said...

I sure hope they go with the Chinese planes, they deserve every bit of them.

jimbrown said...

First member of new and improved Warsaw Pact too.

Anonymous said...

...attention seeking bwobby