NEW AIR FORCE CHIEF TAKES TOUGH TACK ON INCIRLIK,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005728 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2013 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL TU IZ SUBJECT: NEW AIR FORCE CHIEF TAKES TOUGH TACK ON INCIRLIK, F16 EW SUITE REF: ANKARA 4498 (U) Classified by Ambassador Eric Edelman. Reasons 1.5 B and ¶D. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: New Air Chief Gen Ibrahim Firtina took a surprisingly aggressive approach on a range of issues at the AMB's introductory call 9/8. First, he surprised us by re-opening the F16 EW suite issue which his predecessor had agreed to (reftel). Then he implied that the US was lucky Turkey allows the US to use the "unique" Incirlik. At the same time, Firtina implored the US to provide the "penniless" Turkish Air Force with a missile defense system and new fighter trainer aircraft. Firtina also repeatedly indicated that he wanted to raise these issues with USAF COS Gen Jumper (undoubtedly at the 9/11-21 Global Air Chiefs' Conference, which Firtina will attend). End summary. ¶2. (C) Also surprisingly, Firtina was alone, without even a notetaker. He began the meeting with the claim that Turkey was, and is, providing "full support" to the US on Iraq. He therefore couldn't understand US criticism. But the relationship is not a "one-way street." Throughout the meeting, he repeatedly stated his preference for working with, and buying from, the US. Space, weapons training at Konya Range, depot-level aircraft maintenance, (Firtina noted the number of US-compatible airframes and the capabilities of the TUAF to provide maintenance for them which would be mutually beneficial),JSF, and "tri-coordination" with the Israelis are just some of the potential areas. Arms sales is another. But the US would have to give Turkey "special treatment" in order to preserve this relationship. ¶3. (C) F-16 EW DEAL UNRAVELLING?: While we thought SAF/IA Deputy Maj Gen Gration had solved this problem in mid-July (reftel),Firtina again made it clear he did not consider the tech transfer issue solved. In the aggressive but imploring tone he took throughout the meeting, Firtina said he was unhappy with his predecessor Asparuk's agreement to Maj Gen Gration's terms ("Asparuk is out. I am in.") Saying he could not explain the US restrictions to the Turkish public (NOTE: This is far from the public's radar scope. End note). He implored AMB to go back to the USAF and explain why Turkey is "special." Firtina repeatedly threatened to take this and other issues to "his friend" Gen Jumper. But toward the end of the F-16 discussion, Firtina's tone softened ("If the US could do this, it would be nice." "We obviously can't start over from scratch -- it will take four years to install, and the Block 50's are already halfway through their useful life.") AMB said he had thought the TUAF had agreed to the deal arranged with Maj Gen Gration. This turnaround is surprising. He would ask SAF/IA for its view. ¶4. (C) WE NEED U.S. HELP ON SPACE AND MD COOPERATION: Firtina was eager to move ahead in these two areas, but he again implied Turkey expected the US to foot the bill. He said he had not yet received the letter from ASD Stenbit indicating the US is ready to start negotiations with the TAFC on a space MOU in late October. Firtina is ready to move forward on this. India had recently visited Turkey to discuss space cooperation, but "we want to work with the US. We only talk to others as a courtesy. You must help us build a program." On MD, AMB mentioned German Patriots which were available and appeared to be a good buy. When Firtina heard they were not PAC-3's, he was not interested. One consistent Firtina theme was Turkey's need for systems that would help the future of the TUAF, and not older equipment, thus the desire for the most modern MD and other items (like T-6 trainer aircraft). ¶5. (C) WE WANT THE RAYTHEON T-6 TRAINER, BUT OUR POCKETS ARE EMPTY: When AMB mentioned that Raytheon officials had told him they wanted to sell the TUAF T-6 "Texan" flight training aircraft to replace Turkey's aging T-37's, Firtina said he was interested. He even wanted to move up the decision timeline. But "I checked my pockets, and they're empty." Nevertheless, he said, Raytheon should "find a way" to finance the sale. AMB said Raytheon would want to discuss this with the Turks, if Turkey is serious about buying the T-6. But obviously Raytheon can't give it away. ¶6. (C) INCIRLIK IS YOURS: When AMB asked how Firtina saw the future of Incirlik, he answered, "Incirlik is yours. We hear rumors you are considering other places, but Incirlik is unique. It's irreplaceable. We've given you the opportunity to use it -- you must enjoy it." ¶7. (C) AIRSOUTH AT IZMIR -- TELL US WHAT YOU NEED: When AMB mentioned that Turkey would have to cooperate with the US on schooling and force protection issues if Turkey wanted the US to change its unaccompanied policy for Izmir after NATO's Air Component Command moved there under the new command structure, Firtina said that should be no problem. "Just tell me what you need." ¶8. (C) COMMENT: As mentioned above, Firtina indicated he would take these same issues up with Gen Jumper. While he didn't mention it specifically, Gen Firtina will be attending the Global Air Chiefs' Conference 9/11-21 and will undoubtedly try to use that opportunity. On the F-16 EW issue, we suspect Firtina is not serious about letting the Gration deal unravel and is simply trying one last time to exact the source codes his predecessor couldn't. Firtina gave the distinct impression the opportunity to bargain still existed for the EW system. He also opted to take a tougher line than his predecessor. This could indicate a couple of things. First, the source code issue is certainly not linked to this system alone, and any success in "getting more" would provide a precedent the Turks would then use for a number of other items on the table (ATAK helicopter, UAV, etc). Second, there may be linkage to the issue of Turkish troop deployments to Iraq. With the perceived US need for troops to support our mission there, the Turkish military may see any troop contribution to the stabilization force as leverage on a broader scale for other "strategic partnership" issues, such as arms sales. Although Iraq was not a topic of discussion, the Turkish military is inclined to see what, if any, offer of "special" support they may garner. End comment. EDELMAN