Turkish authorities are exploring various options for returning to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program after the country was "shamefully excluded due to the adoption of the Russian S-400 "Triumph" anti-aircraft missile system." The United States and other NATO countries warned Ankara that these two systems are incompatible and would jeopardize the F-35, writes National Interest.
A former Turkish minister, who remained unnamed, called for the sale of the S-400 "Triumph" complexes to India or Pakistan. Now, it is likely that the Turkish authorities have decided to keep the air defense systems but not use them.
Legislators in Ankara suggested: "Let's put them in boxes, and the United States will inspect them." Such a proposal is unlikely to gain support from Washington.
National Interest writes that former Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stated in 2022 his readiness to deploy the complexes. However, this did not happen.
Turkey will continue to look for a way to return to the F-35 program, but this will almost certainly never happen. Russia may not even allow Ankara to sell the S-400 "Triumph"
Read more on the topic:
Hürriyet: Russian S-400 complexes may enter the Turkish air defense system "Iron Dome"
