Israel Reportedly Pressured UAE Against Buying Russian S-400 Missiles

An Israeli intervention has reportedly stalled a potential deal for the UAE to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems from Turkey, according to Turkish journalist Mehmet Acet. Acet claims Israel urged Abu Dhabi not to buy the systems, aiming to prevent Turkey's return to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. This alleged Israeli pressure has, as of now, prevented the UAE from making a final decision on the purchase, Acet wrote in an article for the Turkish website "Haberturk." Neither Israel nor the UAE has officially confirmed these claims.

Last July, Turkey believed it had reached understandings with Russia and the UAE regarding the S-400 systems. Acet stated that the obstacle was not from Moscow but stemmed from Israel's recommendation to the UAE leadership against the acquisition. The journalist suggested Israel's motive was to maintain U.S. sanctions on Turkey and keep the door open for Ankara's re-entry into the F-35 program.

The possibility of Turkey selling S-400 systems to the UAE had been circulating for months. Reports in July indicated Ankara was considering selling the systems to a Gulf state, with subsequent reports identifying the UAE as the likely buyer. The Kremlin had acknowledged discussions between Russia and Turkey on the S-400's future, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the issue "very sensitive" and not ruling out a transfer to a third country, provided agreements with Moscow were honored.

The S-400 purchase has been a major point of contention between Turkey and the U.S. since Ankara acquired them from Russia. This led to Turkey's removal from the F-35 program, despite its role in producing parts for the aircraft, and resulted in U.S. sanctions under the CAATSA law. The U.S. argues that operating a Russian system alongside the F-35 could compromise the stealth capabilities and electronic systems of the American jet.

Recent efforts have focused on resolving the S-400 issue. U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa, visiting Ankara in early September, suggested that transferring the S-400s to the UAE "could be the best solution" and indicated discussions were underway. U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, also stated that negotiations were ongoing and an S-400 resolution was expected, noting that the discussions involved the systems' status, ownership, and Turkey's disposal plan, and were tied to U.S. law, not solely a White House political decision.

Acet reported that Turkey is now working on an alternative plan following the apparent failure of the UAE deal, the details of which remain undisclosed. He speculated the issue might be raised during upcoming talks between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump. Turkey hopes a resolution to the S-400 issue will lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions and a resumption of discussions about acquiring F-35 fighter jets.