Sunday, October 27, 2019

Turkey Close To Purchasing Russian Su-35 Jets After Lockheed Deal Blocked

Turkey's Daily Sabah reports that Ankara is close to purchasing an initial round of Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, in what would mark a huge reversal of course following the heated Lockheed F-35 fighter and Russian S-400 saga with Washington, which has sunk US-Turkey relations to a low point over the past year.

Turkish and Russian officials are discussing the details of the sale of a total of 36 Su-35 fighter jets to Turkey, two months after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the International Aviation and Space Salon aviation show outside of Moscow.

This after the US blocked transfer of some 100 F-35 Lockheed Martin produced stealth fighters, at a loss of hundreds of millions to Turkey's aviation industry, given it was slated to be a joint participant in making the F-35s ready for Turkey's armed forces.

The Su-35S generation 4++ supersonic fighter jet performed its debut flight on February 19, 2008.

The fighter jet's armament includes a 30mm aircraft gun, up to 8 tonnes of the weapon payload on 12 underwing hardpoints.

In late August of this year President Erdogan inspected Russia's stealth aircraft line-up while attending a major air show in Moscow, including the Su-57 fighter jet and Su-35 fighter jets.

Days ago Turkey's Defense minister expressed hope that the issues surrounding the US F-35 holdup would soon be overcome, following a successful deal related to Turkey's military operation in northern Syria to establish a 'safe zone'.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/turkey-close-purchasing-russian-su-35-jets-after-lockheed-deal-blocked

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