“U.S. Proposes Placing Turkey’s S-400 Air Defense System Under Its Control”

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The United States has reportedly made a proposal to Turkey that would see the Mediterranean country “hand over” its Russian-made S-400 air defense system in exchange for being allowed to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.

According to Greek media reports, the U.S. proposal suggests Turkey would retain the S-400 system within its territory but transfer control of it to the United States.

The plan involves relocating Turkey’s S-400 system to the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, a facility controlled by U.S. forces, allowing Washington to oversee the Russian-made air defense system.

“The aim of the U.S. proposal is to enable Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program and proceed with the purchase of 100 F-35 fighter jets, as previously agreed,” the report states.

Negotiations between Turkey and the U.S. are said to be at the highest levels, with both sides reportedly optimistic about a successful outcome.

Turkey acquired the S-400 air defense system in 2019, a move that has been the source of ongoing tension between Ankara and Washington.

In 2017, Turkey signed a deal with Moscow to procure the S-400 system, valued at an estimated US$2.5 billion (RM10 billion).

The first regiment of the system was delivered to Turkey in 2019.

Turkey decided to acquire the S-400 after its negotiations to purchase the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system fell through.

The U.S. never provided a reason for its refusal to sell the Patriot system to Turkey.

This failure led Ankara to pursue the S-400 deal with Russia, which offered an attractive package that included technology transfer and local production of the missile system.

Turkey conducted test firings of the S-400 missiles in Sinop last year.

However, due to its insistence on proceeding with the S-400 acquisition, Turkey faced consequences, including being expelled from the F-35 program and barred from purchasing 100 F-35 jets, despite having already paid a US$1.4 billion deposit.

Six F-35 jets, built for Turkey, are now grounded in the U.S. due to Washington’s imposition of military sanctions against Ankara.

Although Turkey was initially pleased with its acquisition of the S-400, questions have since arisen regarding the system’s integration with the rest of Turkey’s air defense network and the strategic value of the Russian system.

Despite having owned the S-400 system for several years, Turkey has yet to fully activate it within its national defense strategy.

The S-400 system remains stored in an undisclosed location and has not been operationalized.

Additionally, the Russian air defense system has been excluded from Turkey’s newly introduced “Steel Dome,” a layered air defense system.

Speculation about Turkey’s return to the F-35 program grew after U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said in late January that Washington was open to “welcoming back” Turkey to the fifth-generation fighter jet program.

“If we can resolve the issue of the S-400 air defense system (purchased by Turkey from Russia), which we (the U.S.) want to resolve, the United States would be happy to welcome Turkey back into the F-35 family,” Nuland said.

“If we can overcome this issue, the CAATSA sanctions will be lifted, and we can resume discussions on the F-35,” she added.

Nuland’s remarks have sparked widespread speculation and questions in Turkey. – DSA