Will Pakistan get S-400 air defense system? Turkey made a plan for F-35... what is the Russian connection?
Turkey To Sell S-400 to Pakistan: Geopolitical equations are changing rapidly around the world and another big headache may emerge for India's security policy. The air defense system that protected India from air threats from Pakistan. Now the same S-400 system can go into the hands of India's enemy Pakistan. This claim has been made by a former minister of Turkey. Turkey, which bought this system from Russia for $ 2.5 billion, is now preparing to get rid of this system to build better relations with America.
This matter is not just about military technology, but also indicates a new 'cold war' between India and Turkey. The bitterness in India-Turkey relations in the last decade is now openly moving towards confrontation at the level of military strategy.
India and Turkey are now seen at two opposite poles of global diplomacy. Recently, when India increased diplomatic and military partnership with Turkey's rivals Cyprus and Greece, it was a clear message that India is not taking Turkey's growing closeness with Pakistan lightly. The visit of the Indian Air Force Chief to Greece and Prime Minister Modi's visit to Cyprus are part of this.
At the same time, Turkey has started many military projects in collaboration with Pakistan and has also supported Pakistan on various global forums. Now selling state-of-the-art systems like S-400 to Pakistan can become a new challenge for India.
Turkey wants to give up S-400, wants to get F-35 from America
Turkey had made a deal for S-400 defense system from Russia in 2017, but due to this it was excluded from America's F-35 fighter jet program and also had to face CAA TSA sanctions. Now Turkey wants to improve relations with America and is developing a new multi-layer air defense system called 'Steel Dome'.
'Steel Dome' will be completely domestic, in which Turkish defense companies ASELSAN, ROKETSAN and MKE are working. Turkey has made it clear that the Russian S-400 will not be included in this system. This is an indication that Turkey is preparing to get rid of the S-400 and is trying to rejoin the F-35 program.
Will S-400 be sold to Pakistan?
Former Turkish Minister Cavit Caglar created a sensation by saying that Turkey should consider selling S-400 and its potential buyers could be India or Pakistan. Although he gave preference to Pakistan, but this is just speculation, not any official confirmation. The reality is that Turkey has neither been able to fully integrate S-400 into its network, nor has it activated it. In such a situation, it may think of satisfying America by selling this system.
How possible is the sale of S-400 to Pakistan?
However, technically and diplomatically it is not that easy. Turkey's agreement with Russia makes it clear that it cannot transfer or sell S-400 to any other country without prior permission from Russia. And getting this permission is almost impossible.
Russia is not only a strategic partner of India, but it has already given India five squadrons of S-400. Russia would not want India's rival Pakistan to have the same system. Also, Pakistan is not in a financial position to buy an expensive system like the S-400. The cost of one squadron is around $500 million.
On the other hand, talks are going on between India and Russia regarding additional batch of S-400 and S-500 systems. India is already the operator of these systems and Russia also trusts India. In such a situation, if Turkey wants to get rid of S-400, then India can become a viable buyer for it. Provided Russia allows it.
Currently, both the S-400 units Turkey has are lying dormant and kept at an undisclosed location. Turkey does not want to activate it so that it can maintain better relations with NATO and the US.
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