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Russia has approached Türkiye about repurchasing the S-400 air defense systems it sold to Ankara in 2019, as Moscow allegedly faces inventory shortages and growing demand from third countries, Turkish media outlet Nefes reported on Saturday.
The request reportedly comes as Türkiye develops its own Steel Dome air defense system, utilizing domestic capabilities, thereby reducing its reliance on Russian-made equipment that has remained largely inactive since delivery.
"While the world grapples with wars and crises, many countries wanting to procure air defense systems have knocked on Russia's door. Moscow has no ready S-400s in stock apart from those they use."
"For this reason, it has been learned that Russia is considering buying back the S-400 systems it sold to Türkiye in 2019, which Ankara does not actively use, and selling them to another country," the Turkish publication reported.
It's reported as a claim by the media, which must be considered as unconfirmed, as no Turkish official has yet made any statement on the matter.
The S-400 purchase severely damaged U.S.-Türkiye defense ties. Washington removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program and imposed CAATSA sanctions after Türkiye proceeded with the Russian deal despite American objections.
The report suggests Ankara may view a buyback favorably as it continues negotiations with the United States for F-16 fighter jets and seeks readmission to the F-35 program.
Türkiye received its first S-400 components on July 12, 2019, following a 2017 contract signed after unsuccessful attempts to purchase American Patriot systems.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced the systems would be fully operational by April 2020.
Testing occurred in October 2020 at the Sinop Test Range on the Black Sea coast, where Turkish Air Force personnel conducted comprehensive evaluations of the system's radar components and firing capabilities using target drones.
This is not the first time the fate of Türkiye's S-400s has been discussed internationally. In 2023, then-Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu revealed that Washington had proposed sending the systems to Ukraine.
"The U.S. asked us to send the S-400s to Ukraine, and we said no," Cavusoglu stated, calling such proposals unacceptable infringements on Turkish sovereignty.
The United States had also suggested that Türkiye transfer control of the systems to Washington or another country, proposals that Ankara rejected.
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