OREANDA-NEWS. The US Air Force decided to purchase eight fifth-generation fighters F-35 from the American corporation Lockheed Martin, which were manufactured for Turkish army. This is said in a statement released by the US Department of Defense.

It is noted that the acquisition for 862 million dollars of eight aircrafts originally produced by Lockheed Martin for Turkey is a part of a modification of previously concluded contract with the American corporation. As part of this agreement, the US Air Force purchased an additional six fighters F-35A. In addition, the Pentagon notes, as part of the modification of the contract, Lockheed Martin will make changes to the airplanes required by the US Army.

Initially, Turkey planned to buy 100 fighters F-35. However, in connection with Ankara’s purchase of anti-aircraft missile systems S-400  from Russia, Washington excluded Turkey from the American fighter production programme. Nevertheless, the first batch of F-35 jets intended for Ankara was already produced, but they were not sent to Turkey.