Russia: New deal on S400; Turkey: No new deal

Turkey has not signed a new document concerning for the purchase of new S-400 missile system, a Turkish official told Reuters, after Russian official’s statement that Turkey and Russia have signed a contract for the delivery of a second regiment of the S-400s prompted rumors about a new contract.

“A corresponding agreement has already been signed. Among other things, it will allow for the production of some components of the [S-400 Triumf] system to be localized,” he head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) Dmitry Shugayev told Russian news agency TASS on Aug. 16 at Army 2022 International Forum in Moscow, sparking a debate if the countries signed a new deal.

A Turkish defence official told Reuters news agency that the original contract Turkey signed with Russia for the purchase of S-400 systems included two regiments, adding that there were no new agreements.

“The purchase of a second batch was included in the original plan and the related contract. The process is ongoing and there are no new agreements,” the Turkish defence official said.

Turkey has been considering new purchases for the S400 systems, talks of which was still ongoing.

USA- Turkey F-16 talks

The issue came a day after the Turkish National Defense Ministry announced that a technical Turkish delegation went to the USA to discuss the blocked F-16 supply and modernisation.

“At the invitation of the USA, the technical delegation of the Ministry of National Defense went to the USA to hold talks in order to ensure the procurement and modernization of the F-16 as soon as possible,” the announcement read on Aug. 15.

F16 purchase talks between Turkey and the USA have been an issue after USA has blocked the sales of the jets due to the S400 purchase from Russia. Turkey is seeking to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made fighter jets which it has been a part of the joint venture and modernization kits.

Following Turkey’s diplomatic role in the Russia-Ukraine war, USA-Turkey relations has entered a new phase where US President Joe Biden said he would support the sale. However the House of Representatives in July approved the legislation that bars the sale to Turkey unless Ankara ensures that the jets would not be used against Greece, a decision that sparked unease in Ankara.