Russia, "S-400 Sold to Turkey Cannot Be Exported to the United States"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government has drawn a clear line that Turkey cannot re-export the S-400 missile defense system, which it sold to Turkey last year, to a third country without Russia's permission. This move is interpreted as a preemptive measure to block the possibility of a proposal made in the U.S. Senate the previous day to purchase the S-400s held by Turkey from the Trump administration.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 30th of last month (local time), Maria Borobiova, spokesperson for the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVYS), emphasized, "The Turkish government cannot transfer or re-export the S-400 to a third country without official Russian approval," adding, "The final equipment purchaser of military products must provide the Russian side with a final user certificate and obtain approval."

This is seen as a response to the U.S. Senate's earlier proposal to amend the National Defense Authorization Act to allow the U.S. Army to purchase the S-400s held by Turkey in order to restore relations with Turkey. On the previous day, U.S. Republican Senator John Thune introduced an amendment to the 2021 fiscal year National Defense Authorization Act, stating that the U.S. Army should purchase the S-400s held by Turkey using the missile procurement account. If this is realized, it is expected that relations with Turkey, which participated in the F-35 fighter jet development program, will be restored, and Turkey's planned purchase of the F-35 will also be reinstated.

Last year, despite opposition from the United States, Turkey imported four battalions of the S-400 from Russia for $2.5 billion, which led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries due to U.S. backlash. The U.S. opposed Turkey operating the Russian S-400 alongside the planned acquisition of about 100 F-35 fighter jets, arguing that U.S. military secrets and intelligence could be transferred to Russia. However, the Turkish government pushed ahead with the S-400 acquisition, and the U.S. government halted the delivery of F-35s sold to Turkey. Turkey was also expelled from the F-35 development program.

While the Turkish government has yet to clarify its position, it is expected that Turkey will continue to weigh its options regarding the S-400 and F-35. The Turkish government has stated that the deployment of the S-400 has been delayed due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is seen as a time-buying strategy. Earlier, Ismail Demir, head of Turkey's Defense Industry Agency, said at a press conference last month, "Once the S-400 technology transfer procedures are completed, Russia will be prevented from accessing the S-400," adding, "F-35 parts production and delivery continue in Turkey, and Turkey remains a partner in the F-35 program."