Russia responds to Türkiye's possible F-35 reentry amid S-400 speculation

Bulgarian Military features that Russia has responded to recent speculation regarding Türkiye's potential reentry into Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program, fueled by the decommissioning of its Russian-supplied S-400 air defence systems.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Türkiye is legally prohibited from selling these S-400 systems to other nations due to an end-user certificate in the arms supply contract.   “Arms contracts include an end-user certificate clause,” Lavrov clarified. “Any further actions involving the products supplied under this certificate, which designates the recipient country as the end user, require the seller's consent,” he added.  

The negotiations between Türkiye and the US regarding the S-400 systems were held. Greek media outlet Kathimerini noted that the United States had proposed a comprehensive plan over the summer to resolve the ongoing dispute stemming from Türkiye's acquisition of the Russian systems. According to exclusive information from Kathimerini, a proposal is being considered that would allow Türkiye to retain the missiles while effectively transferring control to the United States. Ongoing negotiations appear to be further along than publicly acknowledged. Senior US officials have proposed relocating the Russian systems to the US-controlled section of the Incirlik base in southern Türkiye. 

This strategy aims to spare Türkiye from international embarrassment by avoiding a direct reversal of its previous decision while ensuring compliance with its treaty obligations to Russia.   Meanwhile, some Western sources indicate that Türkiye has been encouraged to send its S-400s to Ukraine, where Russian S-300 systems are widely deployed. Greece, a neighboring country, previously transferred its more advanced S-300PMU-1 systems to Ukraine as part of a deal that enabled its acquisition of F-35 fighter jets.   According to MWM, it seems more likely that the S-400 systems could be transferred to the United States or another NATO ally for assessment.

The publication specifically suggests a scenario where the S-400s could remain at a Turkish air base under US control.   In this context, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov’s comments seem somewhat out of place. Greek reports indicate that Türkiye does not intend to sell the S-400 systems but rather relocate them within its territory, an area jointly managed by Ankara and Washington.

By Naila Huseynova