A Turkish commentary column reports that Turkey will sell its S-400 missile system to a Gulf country to advance the F-35 deal, but questions the claim, noting that no Gulf state operates the Russian S-400 system, which would complicate U.S. relations. The column also notes that Iran has S-300 systems but not S-400.
A Turkish commentary column published on Friday (July 10) questioned the feasibility of reported plans to sell Turkey's Russian-made S-400 air defense system to an unidentified Gulf state, adding a skeptical note to the day's rapid succession of reports. The column noted that no Gulf country currently operates the S-400, and that the transfer would inevitably complicate relations with Washington. It also pointed out that Iran operates the older S-300, not the S-400.
At 10:10 Jerusalem, The Zioneer published initial reports that Ankara would announce a sale to an unnamed third country, purportedly clearing the legal obstacle under U.S. law to Turkey's return to the F-35 program. Within the same minute, a report from the Turkish daily Hürriyet identified Qatar as the buyer, followed by another Turkish newspaper report confirming the transfer to Qatar. A fourth report at 10:10 shifted the narrative, identifying the United Arab Emirates as the recipient. The Zioneer further reported at 10:12 on the expected announcement, and a subsequent bulletin at 11:04 again named the UAE as the buyer. The new commentary column, while citing the sale, raises doubts about its practicality given the geopolitical hurdles.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the broader debate over the F-35 sale to Turkey, including bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Congress, concerns about technology leakage to Russia, and analyses warning that the deal could threaten Israel's air superiority. This background underscores the high stakes of the reported S-400 transfer.
The identity of the Gulf buyer remains unspecified in the commentary, and the report itself has not been independently confirmed. The column's questions highlight the uncertainties surrounding the deal, including the absence of any Gulf state operating the S-400 system.
6 developments
- DevelopingTrump leans toward approving F-35 sale to Turkey, praises Erdogan's help
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingAnalysis: Erdogan's window for F-35s is now, deal appears increasingly realistic
Source and signal
- Internal intake