The Turkish military, according to Russia, is scheduled to get its second regiment of S-400 Missile Systems, a new model F-16s that it ordered in a defense deal with Washington. But Ankara warned the US not to have a delay in its delivery; until now, the delivery was under threat of cancellation.
Weapon Systems Delivery
Following the signing of a relevant contract, Russia has begun delivering Turkey with the second regiment of its S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, according to Dmitry Shugaev, director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), reported EurAsian Times.
The conditions of the contract document, which also provides for the localization of the manufacturing of the system's individual components, have now been approved, Mr. Shugaev added.
Ankara continues to be a key ally for Moscow. The two countries have close economic and trade ties, and bilateral cooperation is thriving in various fields, including military-technical collaboration. Russia is eager to keep collaborating with Turkey straightforwardly and beneficially.
According to the official, the S-400 Triumph air defense system is a superb system that is difficult to match regarding its tactical and technical capabilities. The Turkish military wants another regiment to get F-16s from foot-dragging Washington.
Purchase of US F-16 Fighter Jets
Russia and Turkey approved the first contract for the S-400 regimental kit valued at $ 2.5 billion in 2017, with an option to purchase another regiment afterward.
The first regiment was supplied to Turkey in the summer and autumn of 2019. US stance on the arms sale is very well known, although as of last Tuesday, the US State Department spokesman Ned Price was not aware of any fresh developments regarding Russia's contract to deliver Turkey with supplemental S-400 defense systems.
In other reports, the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah disclosed that the country had raised objections to the Pentagon stalling the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US and insisted that the Pentagon give the matter before the United States Congress.
Ankara intends to modernize 80 more F-16 fighters already in service and purchase 40 more from the US.
US President Joe Biden mentioned that he intended to acquire congressional approval to deliver fighters to Turkey. However, several congressmen opposed the F-16 deal; instead, Greece is actively impeding the shipment of fighters.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been used as justification to block communication with Kyriakos Mitsotakis and charge him with breaking previously reached agreements.
According to sources cited by the media, Turkey is attempting to negotiate with the Pentagon and asserts that the matter is presented before the US Congress as it does not want the matter to be subject to lengthy processes and postponements.
Ankara strives to speed up the acquisition decision-making procedure as Congress must endorse the matter within a specific time frame.
The Turkish military is set to get the Russian S-400 Missile Systems as part of the first deal, but for the F-16s, it will be some wrangling with the US government.
