Turkey has reportedly agreed to sell its Russian-made S-400 air defence missile systems to a Gulf nation, days after the United States signalled it was open to supplying Ankara with F-35 stealth fighter jets.
According to Türkiye’s pro-government newspaper Hurriyet, the deal has been finalised with a third country believed to be either the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Qatar.
While the Turkish government has not officially confirmed the transaction, the report suggests an announcement could be made soon.
Columnist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote that Turkey had resolved key issues surrounding the transfer and that the S-400 systems would be delivered to a Persian Gulf country.
“According to the information I have, the S-400s have been sold to a third party. The deal will be announced today. The S-400 systems will be transferred to a Persian Gulf country,” Selvi was quoted as saying.
Trump signals possible F-35 sale to Turkey
The reported sale comes shortly after US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington was prepared to reconsider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Speaking during the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this week, Trump praised Turkey’s role within the alliance and suggested the US could revisit the issue of supplying the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
“Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal,” Trump said. “It’s a great plane, the best plane by far, and it’s certainly something we will consider.”
The remarks followed talks between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the summit.
S-400 purchase triggered US sanctions
Turkey purchased four divisions of Russia’s S-400 Triumf air defence system in 2017 under a deal worth approximately $2.5 billion. The acquisition strained relations with Washington, which argued that operating the Russian system alongside NATO equipment posed a security risk.
In response, the United States removed Turkey from the multinational F-35 fighter programme and imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
US lawmakers have repeatedly maintained that Turkey would need to dispose of its S-400 systems before any F-35 sales could resume. Trump’s recent comments, coupled with reports of the S-400 transfer, have fuelled speculation that Ankara could be moving to remove a major obstacle in restoring defence ties with Washington.
India continues operating S-400 systems
India also operates the Russian-made S-400 air defence system after signing a $5.43 billion agreement with Moscow in 2018 for five squadrons.
Four squadrons have already been delivered, while the final unit has been delayed because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The S-400 system is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced long-range air defence platforms, capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at extended ranges. Indian officials have credited the system with strengthening the country’s air defence capabilities, including during recent military operations.