Turkish Foreign Minister Melut Cavusoglu threatened that Ankara will turn elsewhere to procure fighter jets if Washington does not approve the sale of the super-advanced F-35 stealth fighter planes.

In an extreme situation, Cavusoglu said that Ankara may also bar use of the strategic Incirlik air base.

Cavusoglu said that Ankara’s agreement with the US regarding the F-35 is comprehensive and that Turkey has met all its financial obligations related to the deal. “I am not worried, as the agreement is legally binding and cannot easily be canceled,” he said

“If, however, the aircraft are not delivered, then we shall satisfy our needs elsewhere,” he said, in an apparent reference to Russia and perhaps other countries.

“We can buy fighter jets from Russia and from one Nato country,” Cavusoglu clarified.