Russia wants to buy back its own S-400s from Türkiye – Reports
Illustrative photo: Russia wants to buy back its S-400s from Türkiye (GettyImages)
Russia is considering buying back the S-400 systems from Türkiye, which has barely used them, in order to resell them to other countries. Such a scheme could allow Ankara to maintain a balance in its relations with the United States and NATO, according to the Turkish outlet Nefes.
Moscow is trying to find ways to expand deliveries of S-400 air defense systems. Since Russia has no spare systems available, the option of repurchasing the units supplied to Türkiye in 2019 is being discussed. According to sources, Ankara has used these systems only to a very limited extent, which makes such a plan theoretically possible.
Interest in modern air defense systems remains high amid global conflicts and instability, and many states continue to turn to Moscow. However, Russia has no S-400s in storage ready for transfer, apart from those already in use. Therefore, the option of reclaiming the Turkish systems is seen as one of the most realistic.
Türkiye, meanwhile, is advancing its own national air defense project, the Steel Dome. As this program develops, the need for Russian systems is decreasing. Moreover, the S-400s were never integrated into NATO’s structure, and the missiles themselves are approaching half of their service life and require maintenance.
After purchasing the S-400s, Ankara came under US sanctions under the CAATSA law and was excluded from the F-35 fighter jet program. Türkiye is now negotiating the purchase of F-16s and does not rule out returning to cooperation on the F-35. This increases the likelihood that the air defense systems could be returned to Russia.
It should be recalled that the $2.5 billion deal was signed back in 2017, with delivery taking place in 2019. This agreement became one of the reasons for the deterioration of Türkiye's military cooperation with the United States and NATO.
It should also be noted that Türkiye has decided to suspend all trade and economic relations with Israel. Ankara closed its ports to Israeli vessels and banned Israeli aircraft from flying through its airspace.
In addition, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that in recent months, Russia’s position on the conflict in Ukraine has undergone significant changes.
