Turkey Plans to Sell Russian S-400 Systems to Gulf State, Clearing Path for F-35 Jets

According to Turkish newspaper columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, Turkey is expected to announce the sale of its Russian S-400 air defense systems to a third country later today. The buyer is believed to be a Gulf state, possibly the United Arab Emirates or Qatar. This move follows preparations for the deal and could pave the way for the return of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey's air force bases.

Turkey purchased the S-400 systems from Russia in 2019 despite strong opposition from the United States and NATO allies, who warned that integrating the Russian defense system with the stealth F-35 jets could compromise sensitive technology. As a result, the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program and imposed sanctions under the CAATSA law.

Selvi explained that lifting these sanctions requires not only political decisions but also Turkey meeting several conditions, including declaring the S-400 systems inactive, no longer possessing them, and committing to limit future military ties with Russia. Selling the S-400 to a third party could help Turkey fulfill these requirements and remove the main obstacle to restoring defense cooperation with Washington.

The report also references Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent cryptic remark about the S-400 systems, suggesting significant behind-the-scenes developments. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged strong trade relations with Turkey and indicated he would consider selling F-35 jets to Ankara, citing improved bilateral ties and Turkey's loyalty compared to other countries.

No official confirmation has yet come from Ankara regarding the S-400 sale, and the report is based on Selvi's sources. If confirmed, this strategic move would mark a major shift in Turkey's defense posture and its relations with the U.S. and NATO.