Surprising S-400 move from Russia: A return to the negotiating table?

While wars and crises continue around the world, many countries have knocked on Russia's door for air defense systems. However, it has been learned that Moscow has no ready-to-use S-400 stock beyond its own needs.

For this reason, it is claimed that Russia is considering buying back the S-400s it delivered to Turkey in 2019, which Ankara has not put into operation, in order to sell them to other countries.

On the other hand, Turkey is gradually reducing its dependence on the S-400 thanks to the Steel Dome air defense system it has developed with domestic and national resources in recent years. The missiles of the S-400s, which cannot be integrated into the NATO umbrella, have reached half of their shelf life and are in need of maintenance.

US HAD HALTED F-35 DELIVERY

Turkey purchased 2 S-400 systems for 2.5 billion dollars through an agreement made with Russia in 2017, and deliveries took place in 2019. However, during this process, the US imposed CAATSA sanctions on Turkey and removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program.

A RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE?

In the current picture, Turkey continues its F-16 procurement negotiations with the US. However, considering Ankara's desire to return to the F-35 project in the future, it is evaluated that it may look favorably on returning the S-400s.