S-400 systems. FILE IMAGE: Alexey Malgavko / Sputnik
Israeli pressure on the United Arab Emirates stalled a planned sale of Türkiye’s Russian-made S-400 long-range air defense systems to Abu Dhabi, Turkish news outlet Haber7 reported on September 24.
Haber7 columnist Mehmet Acet reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that Türkiye had reached common ground with Russia over the transfer and had also reached an understanding with the UAE, but that the deal failed to move forward after Israel urged the Emirati leadership not to purchase the systems.
In late 2017, Türkiye and Russia signed a $2.5 billion S-400 deal. The United States strongly objected, but Türkiye pushed back, arguing that Washington had refused to sell it the upgraded MIM-104 Patriot long-range air defense system despite its status as a key NATO ally.
Türkiye received its first S-400 delivery in mid-2019. Just days later, the U.S. suspended Türkiye from the F-35 Lightning II program, explaining that the stealth fighter jet “cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities.”
Later that year, Washington went further, imposing CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye. By 2020, Türkiye had taken delivery of four S-400 batteries, totaling 36 fire units and at least 192 missiles.
The latest report revealed Israel’s opposition was linked to concerns that resolving the S-400 dispute could clear the way for Türkiye to have U.S. sanctions lifted and regain access to the F-35 program.
Acet said Israel did not want that outcome and had used its influence in the UAE to prevent the purchase from being finalized.
According to Haber7, the delay was not caused by Russia. Acet said Ankara and Moscow had reached a common position during negotiations, leaving the proposed UAE purchase as the remaining obstacle to completing the transfer.
The report follows a July 10 claim by Turkish journalist Abdülkadir Selvi that Türkiye had sold its S-400 systems to a Gulf country. Subsequent reports identified the UAE as the prospective buyer, but Haber7 said no further announcement had confirmed that the transaction had been completed.
Haber7 cited U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack as saying that discussions on lifting the CAATSA sanctions and resolving the S-400 issue were still continuing.
According to the report, Ankara has developed another formula intended to overcome the deadlock after the UAE did not finalize the purchase. Acet said the new approach could allow Türkiye to resolve the S-400 issue despite the reported Israeli opposition.
The effort could become part of a broader discussion between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, who were expected to meet in New York. Acet said the meeting could provide an opportunity to reach a final arrangement on the S-400s and the CAATSA sanctions.
Trump had said in July that Washington was prepared to lift the sanctions on Türkiye, telling reporters that it was time to remove them and that the U.S. did not want to sanction its allies.
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clearly the turks did not need the s-400 but bought it to study for nato and reverse engineer it, the russ leadership are traitors for few $$$ and now turks are selling it lol?