Turkey says S-400 technical committee still on table

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – Turkey's proposal to form a committee to examine technical concerns about its procurement of an advanced Russian missile defense system is still under consideration, said Turkey's presidential spokesman on Tuesday.</p> <p> &quot;And our proposal to establish this technical committee under the NATO umbrella is still on the table. We are waiting to hear from our U.S. colleagues and from NATO,&quot; Ibrahim Kalin told reporters at the Turkish embassy. &quot;Because we wouldn’t want to have our F-35 program jeopardized in any way by the S-400 or any other system.&quot;</p> <p>Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have reached a fever pitch in recent months with Turkey set to begin receiving the advanced S-400 Russian surface-to-air missile system that Washington said will jeopardize Turkey's role in the F-35 fighter jet program and which could trigger congressional sanctions. </p> <p>The U.S. already suspended deliveries of parts and services related to Turkey's receipt of the multi-million dollar fighter jets.</p> <p>Following protracted efforts to purchase an air defense system from the U.S. with no success, Ankara decided in 2017 to purchase the Russian S-400 system.</p> <p>U.S. officials advised Turkey to buy the U.S. Patriot missile system rather than the S-400s from Moscow, arguing that the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge.</p> <p>Turkey, however, has emphasized that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO operability and would not pose a threat to the alliance.</p> <p>Kalin stressed Turkish experts have said the S-400 would not &quot;jeopardize&quot; the F-35, reiterating that Ankara wants to remain part of the F-35 program.