Russian arms shipments have significantly cooled relations between the US and Turkey. Now the Kremlin is reminding of a second contracted delivery of its state-of-the-art S-400 air defense system. In Ankara, people are reticent about the sensitive issue.
Despite the war in Ukraine, Russia continues to expect a second delivery of its state-of-the-art S-400 air defense system to NATO member Turkey. The contract has been signed, said the head of the Russian authority for armaments cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev, according to the TASS agency at an arms sales show near Moscow. The agreement stipulates that part of the components will be produced in Turkey. An evasive statement came from Ankara. There are no new developments regarding the procurement of the S-400 missile defense system, the presidency of the Turkish defense industry said. “The process will continue according to the agreement reached on day one.”
Against criticism from NATO, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to buy the S-400 in 2017. According to previous data, the first contract provided for the delivery of two S-400 regiments, and Russia delivered the first in 2019. Turkey tested the weapon but did not put it into service amid US sanctions. The system can combat incoming aircraft and missiles within a radius of 400 kilometers.
Turkey has good relations with Moscow and Kyiv and has tried to mediate on several occasions since Russia invaded Ukraine. The United States feared that the S-400 system could give Russia an insight into the technology of modern American fighter jets. Moscow could use the sensitive radar of the S-400 weapon system to obtain data on the stealth capabilities of the F-35 jets. Washington therefore stopped the delivery of US F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
In order to end the Turkish blockade of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, it was officially announced at the end of June that the USA had made concessions to Ankara on the issue of arms deliveries. However, no further details were given. At the end of last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the United States had offered Turkey F-16 jets instead of F-35s. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, Ankara has requested 40 new F-16 and 79 upgrade kits for the F-16 jets already in service. In Washington, however, a possible deal has so far been politically controversial.
