In Geopolitics Today - Friday, October 29th
US Holds Talks with Turkey Over F-35 Dispute and China Reveals Two New Stealth Aircraft Variants
US Holds Talks with Turkey Over F-35 Dispute
While formally NATO allies, relations between Turkey and the United States have been problematic since 2016. Turkey’s decision to purchase Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft weapon systems led to Ankara being expelled from the F-35 program, to which it had made considerable contributions. Now, dispute resolution talks between the United States and Turkey kicked off this week as both sides sat down to address issues resulting from Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program.
The discussions apparently went well, with the Pentagon stating that discussions were “productive,” without going into any detail. The short statement released by the Pentagon emphasized a US commitment to “conclude respectfully Turkey’s prior involvement in the F-35 program.” While the Turkish side stated that a part of the discussions revolved around financial issues related to Turkey’s exit from the program, possibly suggesting the involvement of financial compensation. Both sides welcomed the discussions, demonstrating an eagerness to overcome the dispute.
Turkey is demanding a return of its $1.4 billion initial order of up to 100 F-35 aircraft. But Washington expelled Turkey from the program before a single plane was delivered, prompting Turkey to press for a return of its investment. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suggested that Washington may be willing to compensate Turkey with an order of F-16 fighter aircraft, though such a deal has yet to materialise. Whatever else may be on the table, Erdoğan has exclaimed that Turkey will get this $1.4 billion “one way or another.”
Read more about this story here.
China Reveals Two New Stealth Aircraft Variants
China looks to become only the second country to domestically develop a carrier-capable stealth fighter aircraft. While Beijing prepares for the completion of the country’s third aircraft carrier, exactly which aircraft are expected to fly from its decks have remained a mystery. Now, images have started to circulate online showing two new types of Chinese military aircraft conducting flight tests.
The two aircraft appear in photographs taken outside the Chengdu Aircraft factory, with one showing a two-seat J-20 stealth fighter aircraft and the other a carrier variant of the Shenyang FC-31. The images confirm reports that China has developed a carrier-based stealth fighter capability, and is producing the world’s first ever two-seat stealth fighter jet. These new aircraft are expected to fly from the decks of China’s upcoming Type 003 aircraft carrier, bringing the People’s Liberation Army Navy the ability to project power on the seas using advanced and stealthy aircraft.
Given that all previous 5th generation aircraft have been produced in single-seat versions, the new two-seater J-20 is going to provide China with some interesting advantages. The addition of another crew member will allow for the operation of on-board sensors without stressing the cognitive capacity of pilots. Human cognitive capacity can only interpret and act on so much, and increasingly, aircraft operate dozens of highly-complex sensors to determine a range of factors from the weather to target acquisition. The extra crew member can therefore better assess the battleground and relay critical information to the pilot, increasing the survival rate of both crew and aircraft.
Read more about this story here.