Erdogan calls U.S. sanctions a ‘hostile attack’ on Turkey’s sovereign rights and defence industry

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In his first public comments on the move, Erdogan said problems stemming from the sanctions would be overcome and vowed to ramp up efforts toward an independent defence industry, while criticizing Washington for punishing a NATO ally.“What kind of alliance is this? What kind of partnership is this? This decision is an open hostile attack on our country’s sovereign rights,” he said in a televised address.

He said Ankara still produced close to 1,000 parts for the F-35 jets, despite being removed from the program over the S-400 purchase. Turkey had also been due to buy more than 100 F-35 jets.

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