Ankara seeks to start producing its own fighter jets, but is also ready to cooperate with Russia
As previously reported by News Front, Donald Trump’s administration excluded Turkey from the program to build fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets because the Turkish army was equipped with S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems. The US considered it dangerous to use American fighters together with Russian air defence systems.
“If Russia can offer an aircraft that meets our needs and tasks, if it can be integrated into our system without problems, Turkey is ready to buy it,” Varank said. – We do not have any categorical antagonistic position here.”
The Minister said that further Russian-Turkish defense cooperation would be discussed at meetings between the leaders of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.