Turkey: Defense Firms Undergo Losses after F-35 Removal

A Russian military cargo plane carrying part of the S-400 missile system at the Murted airfield in Ankara on Friday, in a picture provided by the Turkish Defense Ministry.
A Russian military cargo plane carrying part of the S-400 missile system at the Murted airfield in Ankara on Friday, in a picture provided by the Turkish Defense Ministry.
TT
20

Turkey: Defense Firms Undergo Losses after F-35 Removal

A Russian military cargo plane carrying part of the S-400 missile system at the Murted airfield in Ankara on Friday, in a picture provided by the Turkish Defense Ministry.
A Russian military cargo plane carrying part of the S-400 missile system at the Murted airfield in Ankara on Friday, in a picture provided by the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Turkish defense companies could face temporary losses after Washington's decision to remove Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program.

However, the industry will emerge stronger as a result, the head of Turkey's Defence Industry Directorate said on Thursday.

US said it was removing Turkey from the F-35 jet program over its purchase of Russian S-400 defence systems, Reuters reported.

Turkey had earlier ordered more than 100 of the stealth fighters and its defense firms were also involved in building the jets.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Ismail Demir said Turkish companies would evaluate how to compensate for their losses from Turkey's removal.

He also added that other countries involved in the F-35 program would face an additional cost of $7-8 million per jet as a result of the move.

According to Reuters, Demir revealed that Turkey would not purchase foreign defense equipment from now on unless it was absolutely necessary, but did not elaborate further.



Blast at Los Angeles Sheriff's Facility Leaves 3 Dead

A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
TT
20

Blast at Los Angeles Sheriff's Facility Leaves 3 Dead

A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake
A Los Angeles County sheriff's officer stands watch as a police vehicle passes by, while officers block the road to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility,in East Los Angeles, California, US July 18, 2025. REUTERS/ Mike Blake

An explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility has killed three deputies, local media reported on Friday, though officials have yet to confirm any deaths.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said an explosion occurred at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training in East Los Angeles. The spokesperson said the cause was under investigation and that they were not yet ready to confirm any deaths or injuries, Reuters reported.

The Los Angeles Times newspaper, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, reported that three deputies were killed in the blast, which took place when a bomb squad moved some explosives.

Hilda Solis, who serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said in a written statement that "my heart goes out to the families, friends, and colleagues of the three individuals who lost their lives in what appears to have been a devastating explosion."

US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media that she had spoken with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna along with US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli "about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles."

Bondi said that federal agents were at the scene and working to learn more.