Second Set of S-400 Air Defence Systems Could be Assembled in Turkey

Ankara and Moscow are currently negotiating co-production of the S-400 air defence systems (ADS) in Turkey.

Russia has agreed to supply a second set of S-400 ADS to Turkey with co-production, the head of the secretariat of the defense industry of Turkey, Ismail Demir said in an interview with NTV channel Sunday.

“We have a principal agreement on the supply of a second set of S-400. There remained technical work on technology transfer, details of co-production (and) a roadmap,” he was quoted as saying.

Last week, the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) of the Russian Federation Dmitry Shugaev said that the Russian Federation is ready to discuss the participation of Ankara in the production of the S-400.

Moscow began supplying Ankara the air defense systems in mid-July 2019 based on the latter’s ‘urgent’ need to acquire the S-400 ADS. However, several months have passed and the Turkish military has not yet ‘switched on’ the system with the COVID-19 pandemic given as the reason.

Speculation is that Turkey is still hopeful it may retrieve its deal to acquire the F-35 jets or be refunded the $ 1.5 billion it paid to be able to be a part of the F-35 program.