Russia may learn secrets of UK’S stealth jets
America concerned that Turkey’s purchase of F-35 fighter and S-400 system will compromise security
BRITAIN’S brand new “stealth” jets could be visible to the Russians, the US has warned. American officials are worried that secrets about the new stealth technology could be compromised and sent to Russia if Turkey, a member of Nato, is allowed to buy both the F-35 fighter jet and the Russian S-400 surface to air missile system.
“I support the transfer of F-35 advanced aircraft to Turkey, but not if they proceed with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defence system,” said Chris Van Hollen, a senator.
“This move would jeopardise the national security of the United States and our other allies. Turkey’s acquisition of both systems would allow the Russians to more easily evaluate the capabilities of the F-35 and detect and exploit its vulnerabilities. That is unacceptable.” The senator has added a provision to a senate bill that would halt the sale of the F-35 to Turkey until Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, certifies that the country will not also take delivery of the S-400.
“This provision makes it clear that if Turkey ignores the concerns of its Nato allies and moves forward with this partnership with Putin, it will no longer receive F-35s,” Mr Van Hollen said.
The S-400, known in Nato terminology as the SA-21 Growler, is an anti-aircraft weapon system in service with the Russian military since 2007. It can operate with four different types of missiles with ranges from 40km (25 miles) to an estimated 400km, to create a multi-layered system. The longestrange missile has yet to enter service.
“It is typical of the Soviet-type approach,” says Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank.
“They want to start shooting at you as far away as they can and whittle down the number of attacking aircraft.” The long-range missiles would be able to target larger aircraft such as tankers and airborne early warning and control platforms at extended range.
These aircraft have large radar crosssections. Smaller aircraft, such as fighter jets, are harder to detect but are still not completely safe. However, any data on the latest US stealth technology would be of immense value to a potential adversary.
The Russian military would be interested in knowing in detail what a lowobservable aircraft such as the F-35 looks like to the S-400 radars head-on, cross-range and moving away, Mr Barrie says. Despite any promises from Turkey, they cannot absolutely guarantee that some data might not get back to Russia.
“Any information would have considerable military utility and there is an inherent risk in those two systems being in the same military,” he says.
Britain has said it will buy 138 F-35 fighter jets and has so far committed money for 48 of the aircraft. The first four touched down in the UK in June and sea trials are due later this year from HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s new aircraft carrier.