Türkiye considers returning Russian S-400s to rejoin F-35 program

According to a report by the Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, Türkiye aims to repair its relations with the US by returning the S-400 air defense systems it purchased from Russia nearly a decade ago.

Ankara intends for this move to facilitate its re-entry into the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet program.

Access to these aircraft, which are critical for regional air superiority, was suspended due to the S-400 crisis.

Ankara wants to return to the F-35 program

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Turkmenistan last week. The two leaders addressed the future of the defense systems.

Conversely, a statement from the Kremlin indicated that the return of the S-400 systems was not raised during the meeting between the two leaders. Moscow emphasized that existing contracts remain valid.

Tom Barrack, a close ally of Donald Trump and the US Ambassador to Ankara, stated that Ankara is close to abandoning the S-400s. Barrack anticipates that this issue could be resolved within four to six months.

Financial compensation formulas in negotiations

Türkiye expects to be compensated for the billions of dollars spent on the S-400 purchase. Ankara is proposing that the financial loss incurred if the systems are returned be deducted from payments for natural gas and oil imported from Russia.

Separate negotiations between the parties are required to implement the aforementioned mechanism. This settlement involving energy debts would directly impact the commercial balance between the two countries.

Ankara believes that its role as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine will assist in persuading Moscow regarding the return.

Relations with NATO allies could strengthen

Sources familiar with the matter emphasize that the cost of the S-400 missiles and radars is significantly lower than the diplomatic gains Türkiye would achieve by divesting from the system.

Overcoming bottlenecks in the defense industry is a primary priority for Ankara.

If the return takes place, it is predicted that Ankara’s relations with NATO allies, and particularly with the incoming Donald Trump administration, will strengthen.

Defense cooperation with Washington could reshape the security architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Ultimately, the final decision regarding the fate of the S-400 systems is expected to be clarified following strategic negotiations between the parties.