Title: Expressing concern with respect to the Government of Turkey's anticipated purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries, and for other purposes.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Expresses concern that Turkey's anticipated purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries threatens North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) interoperability. Encourages Turkey to realign its defense procurement strategy to comply with NATO.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 951 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 951

     Expressing concern with respect to the Government of Turkey's 
anticipated purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 20, 2018

Mr. Wilson of South Carolina submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Expressing concern with respect to the Government of Turkey's 
anticipated purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries, 
                        and for other purposes.

Whereas Turkey has been a cherished member of the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization (NATO) since 1952 and is beholden to NATO's collective 
        defense pledge, wherein the allies integrate their ships, planes, and 
        weapons systems and share command across the alliance;
Whereas Turkey has provided valuable contributions as a NATO ally from the 
        Korean War to the Global War on Terrorism and has been hosting 3,200,000 
        Syrian refugees and nearly 300,000 Afghan and Iraqi refugees;
Whereas, on December 29, 2017, Turkey and the Russian Federation signed an 
        accord for Russia to provide Turkey with at least two S-400 surface-to-
        air missile batteries in the Turkish Government's efforts improve its 
        defense capabilities amid threats from Kurdish and Islamist militants at 
        home and conflicts across its borders in Syria and Iraq;
Whereas Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries stated that Russia 
        would supply the S-400 missile batteries to Turkey in an initial 
        delivery planned for the first quarter of 2020;
Whereas Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries has stated that the S-
        400 missile batteries would be used and managed ``independently'' by 
        Turkish personnel, rather than Russian advisors;
Whereas Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries has asserted that under 
        the accord the armed forces of Turkey would have full control over the 
        S-400 missile batteries, but would cooperate with Russia for 
        technological gains and joint development;
Whereas Turkey has sought to secure defense agreements with other countries in 
        addition to Russia, including signing a letter of intent with France and 
        Italy to strengthen cooperation on joint defense projects;
Whereas, on April 1, 2014, NATO unanimously decided to suspend cooperation with 
        Russia in response to Russia's military aggression in Eastern Ukraine 
        and in Crimea resulting in more than 10,000 deaths; and
Whereas the S-400 missile batteries cannot be integrated into NATO's military 
        architecture, as Russia is not a NATO ally, and therefore the S-400 
        missile batteries are not compatible with NATO's defenses: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) states unequivocally that the United States is 
        obligated to speak out against any threat to NATO 
        interoperability, any exposure of NATO assets to hostile 
        actors, or any degradation of the general security of NATO 
        member countries;
            (2) commends Turkey for its long-standing relationship with 
        the United States and for being a valued ally in Europe and the 
        Middle East;
            (3) affirms a desire to maintain a productive relationship 
        grounded in a shared respect for NATO and essential democratic 
        values;
            (4) expresses concern that the Government of Turkey's 
        anticipated purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile 
        batteries threatens NATO interoperability; and
            (5) encourages Turkey to realign its defense procurement 
        strategy to comply with NATO and in turn strengthen NATO's 
        response capability.
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