DOD: Shifting F-35 supply chain after Turkey's ouster to cost $500M-$600M

摘要

The Pentagon's chief weapons buyer says it will cost between $500 million and $600 million to relocate the supply chain for more than 900 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter parts out of Turkey after the country's expulsion from the program. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord told reporters at a briefing today that the hole created in the F-35 global supply chain by Turkey's removal will initially be filled by U.S. sources, though it will "gradually" be opened to international partners. "We have been working in earnest to develop and implement changes to our supply base and supply chain to accommodate the potential for Turkish removal from the program," she said. The United States is removing Turkey from the F-35 program over the latter government's decision to procure the Russian-made S-400 missile system, which Lord said the Trump administration began working to stop in early 2017. Turkish officials have said for months that they would not renege on their purchase of the S-400.