Turkey to seek alternatives if F-35s not acquired: Defense minister

Duvar English

Turkey will look for alternatives if F-35 fighter jets are not able to be acquired, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, adding that the U.S. should "do its part."

"All should be aware that Turkey will have to look for alternatives if F-35s cannot be acquired for any reason," Akar told Al Jazeera, referring to the F-35 fighter jet program that Turkey was expelled from following its S-400 missile defense systems purchase from Russia.

In the interview, Akar said that the S-400s will not be integrated into Turkey's defense system and that they will instead be part of a "stand-alone system."

"That's what we have been saying since the beginning [of the dispute with the U.S.]. It [the S-400] will definitely be a 'stand-alone' system. We are not going to integrate this with the NATO systems in any way. It will operate independently," he said.

Saying that Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities as one of the partner countries in the F-35 program, Akar noted that the country's allies — particularly the U.S. — should do their part accordingly.

The minister said a previous attempt by Turkey to buy the U.S.-made Patriot defense systems had been rejected, after which Ankara purchased the S-400 system.

The U.S. says that the system could be used by Russia to covertly obtain classified details on the jet, and is incompatible with NATO systems.

Turkey, however, counters that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance.

Asked whether Turkey is still determined to activate the S-400 air defense system, Akar said Ankara's position has been "very clear" from the onset.

"Our president has shared the attitudes, actions and plans by the Republic of Turkey or what we have done or will do with the rest of the world," he said.

During the interview, Akar also talked about Ankara's military offensive in northern Syria, dubbed Operation Peace Spring, which aimed to clear the border from militants of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and to establish a "safe zone" to resettle some of the 3.6 million refugees it currently hosts.

Turkey perceives the People's Protection Units (YPG), which is the leading group in the SDF, as a terrorist organization due to the group being the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"Our only wish, our only goal, our only effort is towards the security of our country. Who from? The YPG, the PKK, terrorists and Daesh. Our goal is to establish the security of our borders and our people," Akar said in the interview, using an Arabic acronym for ISIS.

"This is not an invasion in any way. This is not an attack in any way. It is only an operation launched against terrorists and terrorism," he said.

Saying that the establishment of a peace corridor may enable people to voluntarily and safely return to their homes, the minister noted that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been emphasizing the issue for a long time.

"He has been making calls on the U.S. and Europe and he articulated many times that the creation of a safe zone is very important, vital for Syrians and that is the most reasonable, rational and humane way," he added.

Akar also said that with the repatriation of Syrians, "it will be possible for them to start a new life, and this, in return, will significantly contribute to peace, stability and the normalization of all conditions, I believe."

Responding to criticism that civilians were targeted during the military push, Turkey's third in northern Syria, Akar said: "These claims about our operations targeting the civilians are against all facts. This is an unbelievable issue, because it's not the first time we conduct operations, not the first time we fight against terror."

"What we are doing here ... is not arbitrary. We are not acting disrespectfully to any other party's territorial integrity. This is an activity we have been undertaking for the security of our country and to make sure peace is built for the whole region," he added.

Asked about recent developments in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, Akar said the Bashar al-Assad regime did not respect an ongoing ceasefire and violated agreements.

"…[The Assad regime] tried hard to violate the truce at every opportunity. Of course, one can say that they also received some help from the Russians," Akar said.

"Since May 6, about 1,100-1,200 Syrians lost their lives and the majority of them were civilians. Also, we know that 600,000 people abandoned their homes. Hence, it's a serious humanitarian tragedy," he added.