Sources indicate Ankara is prepared to accept only joint oversight of its air defense systems with Washington.
Türkiye persists in its refusal to relinquish its Russian-manufactured S-400 air defense systems despite US demands, though it is reportedly keen to offer Washington certain compromises on the matter, according to Bloomberg.
Ankara’s 2019 procurement of S-400s from Moscow strained its relationship with Washington, leading to sanctions against Türkiye the following year and the NATO ally’s removal from the US F-35 fighter jet program. The Turkish government has consistently justified the acquisition, asserting its sovereign prerogative to select its arms providers.
Türkiye maintains its interest in acquiring 40 F-35 fighter jets from the US, a prospect currently unattainable while sanctions endure, the news agency reported in a Friday article.
Sources informed Bloomberg that Ankara is “willing to compromise” to ensure Washington rescinds its restrictions. Turkish authorities, they added, might consent to a technical framework for joint US oversight of the S-400s.
In late September, then-US President Donald Trump indicated his receptiveness to Türkiye procuring F-35 fighter jets during discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump remarked, “He needs certain things, and we need certain things,” further stating that Erdogan would be “successful” in acquiring his desired purchases.
Nevertheless, no agreement regarding the fighter jets has been disclosed since that time.
During his US visit, Erdogan commented on Washington’s prohibition of F-35 purchases in an interview with Fox News, stating, “I do not think it is very becoming of a strategic partnership.”
Last month, The Hindustan Times, citing senior defense sources, reported that India – which acquired five S-400s for $5.43 billion in 2018 – intends to procure an additional five systems from Russia.
Amar Preet Singh, the nation’s air force chief, stated that the S-400s, deployed by New Delhi in May during a confrontation with Islamabad, have demonstrated their efficacy as a “game changer,” successfully hindering Pakistani jets from approaching within striking range of Indian objectives.