Turkey stands firm on S‑400, rebuffs transfer requests amid diplomatic tightrope
Turkey has refused to transfer S-400 air defense systems to other countries, including Ukraine, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian. The authorities in Ankara previously purchased this weapon from the Russian Federation. Union emphasizes that the reasons for this decision are closely linked to Turkish-Russian relations.
Turkey's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, in an interview with CNN, stated that there is no question of exporting the Turkish S-400 system to any country. This statement means that Ankara has rejected the request of the United States, which had previously indicated it would allow Turkey's return to the F-35 fighter jet delivery program only if Turkey gave up the S-400 systems bought from Russia. Analysts, referred to by Unian, had speculated that getting rid of the S-400 might entail handing over this weapon to Ukraine.
Will not give up weapons purchased from Russians
The first negotiations on the possibility of transferring the S-400 to Ukrainians were reported to have taken place shortly after the conflict in the east began, in March 2022. However, these talks were informal. After years of discussions, Turkey has made it clear that the S-400 will not be exported to any country, including Ukraine.
Union suggests that the reasons for Ankara's decision are not necessarily rooted in Turkey-USA relations but rather in Turkish-Russian relations. They stated that abandoning the weapons bought from the Russian Federation would damage Turkish-Russian relations and tarnish Turkey's reputation as a reliable partner.
Let's remember that the S-400 systems were delivered to Turkey in 2019, following a deal signed two years prior worth £2 billion. The purchase of the equipment from Russia simultaneously excluded Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet production and delivery program. Although the US authorities proposed a "compromise" allowing Turkey's return to the program on the condition of surrendering the S-400, the country did not accept this condition.
S-400 Missile System
Developed by the Almaz Design Bureau, the S-400 Triumph (NATO codename SA-21 Growler) is designed to engage aerial targets. This means that the system is particularly adept at targeting aircraft and helicopters, as well as ballistic missiles. It is highly effective against long-range weapons, such as intercontinental missiles equipped with nuclear warheads.
The S-400 surpasses its predecessor, the S-300, in capabilities. The system's range varies depending on the missiles it employs. At its minimum, it is about 40 kilometres, when the launcher uses 9M96 missiles weighing about 350 kilograms, while its maximum range can reach up to 400 kilometres with the 40N6 missile weighing about 1,800 kilograms. The S-400 can also launch missiles compatible with the older S-300PMU2 Favorite system (including 48N6E).
