Turkish lawmaker expects progress on S-400 dispute

Türkiye expects progress in the near future toward resolving its dispute with the United States over Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems and returning to the F-35 fighter jet programme, parliamentary defence committee chairman and former Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.

Akar made the comments during a visit by members of the committee to the United States following talks with U.S. officials, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

“We have not said, nor are we saying, that the S-400s will end up in the UAE or anywhere else. We discussed among ourselves [Türkiye and the U.S.] the possibility of reaching agreements to resolve this issue as soon as possible, and we hope that some changes will take place in the near future and that this problematic situation will be resolved. The issue with the S-400 will be resolved in a certain way. We expect this, hope for it, and wish for changes on this matter. And it seems this will happen. The S-400 systems were the reason for the suspension of the F-35 programme. As soon as this issue is resolved, the F-35 programme will resume immediately,” Akar said. 

“As for the F-35, our position is actually very strong. We were a country that produced 1,000 parts for the F-35—exactly 1,000 parts in quantitative terms. This issue will be resolved. We are confident of this,” he added.

Akar said the U.S. side also “has information on this matter obtained through its own channels” and “based on this information, they have given a positive response” to the Turkish side.

Türkiye was excluded from the F-35 programme in 2019 after purchasing the S-400 systems from Russia.

By Sabina Mammadli