Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said more missile systems are essential for Turkey's security and despite the purchase of Russian S-400s, Ankara is open to buying US-made Patriots.
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey would have to look for alternatives if it could not acquire US F-35 jets over the purchase of the advanced Russian S-400 air-defence system.
The Russian-made defence hardware will be activated after relevant military personnel are trained, says Turkish defence minister.
Ankara is not only an F-35 fighter jet customer but also a partner, Turkish President Erdogan underlined at a Justice and Development Party's parliamentary meeting.
Talks being held at the bilateral level and not under NATO supervision, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin says.
The Turkish president says that giving up the Russian missile defence system would be an interference in Turkey's sovereignty rights but is open to buying the US's Patriot missile defence system as well.
Even though the kingdom’s possible purchase of missile systems from Moscow has been in the works for a few years, the country has not finalised a deal with Russia’s President Putin.
Ankara and Moscow are also discussing potentially co-manufacturing a few components of the jets, Turkish sources said.
Turkish and Russian leaders are going to discuss a possible purchase of fifth-generation fighter jets Su-57 and 4++ generation fighter jets Su-35 in the sidelines of a trilateral summit on Syria.
Mark Esper also stressed that the US will “consider” Turkey rejoining to the F-35 programme if Ankara gets rid of the S-400 system and “take them completely out of the country.”
Purchase of Russian S-400s aerial defence system was an urgent need and Turkey had to buy them, foreign minister says.
Ankara and Moscow are discussing the deliveries of Russian-made fighter jets to Turkey.
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