Turkey continues talks with third countries on S-400
Turkey continues to hold talks with third countries regarding the re-export of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems purchased from Russia.
The newspaper Türkiye reported this, citing Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
According to its data, the minister responded to written requests from parliament deputies about the possibility of removing obstacles for Ankara's return to the US program for the production of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, which arose after the acquisition of the S-400. "Within the framework of the ongoing process with the US in the military-political sphere, which is gaining positive dynamics, solutions are being sought through mutual understanding and cooperation on issues left over from the past and also concerning third countries. Our national defense plans, as always, are developed carefully and competently, taking into account the analysis of current and future threats," Türkiye quotes the defense minister as saying.
The newspaper Hürriyet previously reported that, according to its data, the S-400 were resold by Turkey to one of the Persian Gulf countries. Among the most likely buyers were the UAE and Qatar.
Turkey acquired four divisions of S-400 air defense systems from Russia in 2017 worth $2.5 billion. In October 2019, the company Rosoboronexport (part of the state corporation Rostec) reported that the contract for the supply of the systems had been fulfilled. After the conclusion of the contract between Turkey and Russia for the supply of a regimental set of S-400, Ankara was excluded from the US program to create F-35 fighters.
