Illustrative image: SERGEI BOBYLEV/ALAMY
Turkey will consider buying and will likely buy Russian fifth generation Su-57 stealth fighter jets if the US suspends F-35 stealth fighters deliveries in response to the Russian-Turkish S-400 anti-missile systems deal, the Yeni Safak newspaper reported on May 27 citing sources.
The newspaper said that the Russian-Turkish military technology cooperation, including a possible delivery of Su-57 jets, was discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Turkey on April 3.
Russia and Turkey signed the S-400 anti-missile systems deal in December 2017. Since then, US-Turkish tensions over the issue have grown significantly.
On May 24, US Senate Armed Services Committee released draft of annual defense policy bill. The document implies that the delivery of US F-35 jets to Turkey should be suspended in response to the purchase of Russian S-400 anti-missile systems by Ankara.
On May 25, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that a Su-57 fighter jet had carried out strikes on militant targets in Syria in February 2018. According to Shoigu, the Su-57 fighter jet used advanced air-launched cruise missiles to target militants.
A screenshot from Shoigu’s video presentation
In February 2018, at least two Su-57 fighter jets were deployed in Syria where they passed combat tests.
