31.08.2019, Ankara.
Turkey and Russia are negotiating the purchase of Su-35 and Su-57 fighters, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on August 30.
“Representatives of our ministries remain in Russia after the MAKS-2019 (an air show outside Moscow), and they are working there,” confirmed the Turkish leader, saying that “negotiations are underway”. Turkey will put together an offer regarding financing and joint production, he added.
“We need to fill a gap in our defense,” stated Erdogan when talking about the need to find new arms deals. Purchase of the S-400 missile defense system is the foundation of the cooperation with Russia in this area.
Following a visit to the Russian air show MAKS-2019, the Turkish leader noted that the Turkish side may be interested in new acquisitions: “There may be possible purchases in this sector.” Particularly, Turkey is already undertaking steps in regards to acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones, he said.
According to Erdogan, if the US does not lift its ban on Turkey’s participation in the F-35 fighter program, his country will consider the option of acquiring the Su-35 and Su-57 jets from Russia.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
