Intel: US senators renew call for Turkey sanctions over reports of S-400 test
Reports that Turkey continues to test the Russian-built air defense system have prompted renewed objections from lawmakers.
Two US senators are renewing calls for the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Turkey following reports that Ankara used its Russian S-400 missile defense system to track US-built F-16s belonging to other NATO allies during an exercise over the eastern Mediterranean Sea in August.
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and James Lankford (R-OK) requested further information on the reported incident and confirmation as to whether Turkey had integrated a NATO data link into the Russian-built air defense system.
“Reports of this activation make clear that Turkey has no intention of reversing course and divesting of this system,” the lawmakers wrote. Ankara previously tested the S-400’s radar on Turkish-owned F-16s last year, according to reports.
“Additionally, the slow pace at which the Department of Defense is moving to remove Turkey from the F-35 supply chain has no doubt emboldened President Erdogan," the letter read.
