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Turkey S-400 talks progressing
Following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Moscow, Turkish and Russian officials have their respective media outlets that talks regarding the sale of Almaz-Antey S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems to Turkey are progressing.
Sergey Chemezov, the CEO of Rostec (the overarching firm involving Russia’s state-owned industries), told the Russian broadcaster Rossiya-24 that Ankara requested a loan to back an S-400 purchase (via Russian News Agency TASS). Chemezov added that the Russian Ministry of Finance is actively engaged in the talks, indicating that Moscow is eager to finalize a sale to Turkey.
Turkish Minister of Defence Fikri Işık told A Haber that “there is progress in the discussions.” Responding to questions regarding the S-400’s place in NATO’s air defence environment, Işık reportedly stated (via the Daily Sabah) that the S-400 “will not be integrated into the NATO system.”
Işık also confirmed that Turkey’s homegrown long-range SAM is under development, and is expected to enter production “within five-to-seven years.” Earlier reports indicated that Turkey is also seeking Russia’s technical support for the domestic SAM program.
Notes & Comments:
Ankara’s request for a loan indicates that this S-400 sale could be large, potentially in the range of several billion dollars (akin to the U.S. $4.5 billion sale to India). With Rostec signing an agreement to develop a fifth-generation fighter for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Moscow could be on the verge of securing large long-term contracts from two long-time buyers of Western armaments. This is significant in that the success in these areas would provide Russia access to new high-value markets (to join China and India).
Interestingly, the Turkish and UAE moves appear to be driven by a desire to source locally, albeit with an outside partner (i.e. Russia) providing technical assistance and bridging gaps in capacity.
8 Comments
by DB100-SM2
Turkey has requested finance because it is not solely purchasing the S-400 from Russia. They are discussing other systems such as the Pantsir S1, Tor missiles, Active and Passive Protection Suites for MBT’s, Special Equipment (Intelligence gathering related) for Ministry of Interior etc.
Chinese sources have statated that Turkey is interested in 12 S-400 systems.
by Dodo
I read that Turkey invited China to submit its tender but China angrily replied NO. A couple years ago, Turkey cancelled deal after prolonged negotiation with China of purchasing FD-2000 (HQ-9’s export version). China wasted lots of money (include 9 missiles in test fire) in the business and was angry on Turkey’s faithless.
by Red Phoenix
India bought 5 battalions while Turkey plans to buy 3. Thus, it seems that it will cost less.
by DB100-SM2
Turkey plans 12- Some Chinese sources also confirm this. You will see this in the coming days. Turkey does not intend to use its mobile systems solely on Turkish soil. It will deploy them to its foreign bases during times of conflict.
by DB100-SM2
Turkey is purchasing other things from China. Turkey and China also work on SRBM and MRBM systems together.
by sam
in that case it should be 3billion$, but considering turkey’s financial situation, for 3billion$ turkey would not even asked for loan, so the numbers should be high
by Red Phoenix
While we were discussing here, s-400 procurement became history as this week Russia sent soldiers to Afrin Kurdish Canton where Turkey plans to invade. S-400 procurement was probably a move to attract Russian support, Russia on the other hand seems not to be convinced.
by DB100-SM2
The Turkish Foreign Minister announced that this move is not against Turkey but the US: it is a counter-balance to massive US bases popping up in Al-Hasakah, Northern Iraq. By way of comparison these bases are even bigger than Incirlik, Turkey. Turkey and Russia have reached an agreement which will go into effect in future after Al-Rakkah operation. Without elaborating further ask yourselves why there are KRG flags in Kerkuk now.