by Harold Hutchison, Washington examiner
Turkey’s decision to purchase the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system (also known as the SA-21 Growler) has drawn a lot of controversy. So much so that the United States is on the brink of kicking Turkey out of the F-35 program. According to Radio Free Europe, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scrambling to avoid that outcome.
The purchase of the SA-21 has raised questions, especially given Russia’s actions in the last few years. There are also concerns that the integration of the SA-21 could compromise the F-35. At the same time, there have been other purchases of Russian systems by American allies that weren’t deal breakers. South Korea acquired T-80 main battle tanks and BMP infantry fighting vehicles. Greece bought S-300 surface-to-air missiles (also known as the SA-10 Grumble) in the 1990s. It should also be noted that Greece has allowed Israel to train against the SA-10.
So, the SA-21 isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, and in fact, Turkey getting it was a potential intelligence coup. In fact, the United States probably should invite the first battery Turkey acquires to Nellis Air Force Base to take part in Red Flag exercises. Lots of them. In fact, maybe a permanent invite for the next few years — and let the Turks keep the battery at Nellis in between those valuable exercises.
So, while kicking Turkey out of the F-35 program is the right thing to do, the SA-21 is probably the wrong reason to do so. This is a decision that should have been made long ago. Erdogan’s got a rather lengthy rap sheet of cozying up to terrorists, human rights violations, and at least one instance of yanking the rug out from under the United States.
Let’s start with the last item. In 2003, Erdoğan refused permission for the 4th Infantry Division to carry out its part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from Turkish soil. For all the problems American forces faced, this action didn’t help matters. Regardless of how you felt about taking down Saddam Hussein’s regime, this was arguably an early warning sign that Erdoğan was not a friend of the United States.
More worrisome, though, is Erdoğan’s coziness with terrorist groups. When Israeli forces intercepted the so-called “Gaza freedom flotilla” sponsored by a Turkish organization with terrorist ties, Erdoğan attacked the Israelis. These attacks came despite the fact Gaza was then, and is currently, run by Hamas, whose charter calls for Israel’s destruction. Erdoğan’s decision to stick up for Hamas should have caused a rethinking about providing an advanced multi-role fighter to his regime back in 2010.
Erdoğan also has shown a deep disregard for human rights, including freedom of the press and freedom of speech. According to a 2014 report by Haaretz, Erdoğan has also been promoting anti-Semitism for years, gaining a ranking as the No. 2 anti-Semite in the world for 2013, according to the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The imprisonment of Pastor Andrew Brunson on trumped-up spying charges also was a good reason to start rethinking whether Turkey should get the F-35.
Under Erdoğan, Turkey has gone from being a reliable ally to a borderline enemy. Erdoğan’s poor human rights record, his willingness to stick up for Hamas, and his actions at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom make yanking the F-35 the right decision. Should Erdoğan’s regime leave power, perhaps America can look at resuming Turkey’s participation in the program. But until then, sending F-35s to a regime that could turn hostile would be a big mistake.
Harold Hutchison has 15 years of experience covering military issues for multiple outlets.
