Will Ankara Refuse Russian S-400s? Clarifications from Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The air defense systems acquired from Russia are in Turkey's arsenal. This was stated by the Turkish Ministry of Defense in response to media reports suggesting that Turkey is ready to abandon their use in favor of American F-35 fighter jets.

Previously, the Cumhuriyet newspaper, citing informed sources, reported that Turkish officials are prepared to deactivate the Russian air defense systems in exchange for the supply of fifth-generation fighters from the United States.

"Our country needs air defense systems. The S-400 air defense system is part of the Air Force's arsenal. Currently, there are no new developments on this issue," the Turkish military's statement is quoted by the Milliyet newspaper.

The United States excluded Turkey from the joint production and procurement program of modern fighters after Ankara signed a contract in 2017 and subsequently received S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia.