Russia and Turkey may cooperate in producing S-500

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Sputnik

"Russia has given us credit for the S-400 deal on very reasonable terms. At the second and third stages, we are conducting joint production. It is also possible to jointly produce the S-500," Anadolu news agency quoted Erdogan as saying.

In an interview with Sputnik, retired Turkish Air Force Lieutenant General Erdogan Karakush said: “In the current uncertain situation regarding the contract for the supply of US F-35 fighter jets, Turkey is actively considering alternative options, the main direction of which is to strengthen ties with Russia in the military and technical sphere. Turkey is trying to build its own aircraft. However, the country sees opposition from the UK.”

General Erdogan Karakush assessed: Turkish-Russian cooperation in this area is in the interests of both countries. The process of negotiating the supply of S-400 encourages a favorable environment for the future joint production of S-500.

"In his statement, the President emphasized the readiness of the Turkish side to such a high level of cooperation," Erdogan Karakush said. "If we talk about the regional impact of the growing strategic cooperation between Turkey and Russia in the military sphere, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that Russia, like Turkey, does not want the West to expand its influence in the Middle East. The Turkish-Russian alliance is a response to the American threat."

"The United States is developing a plan together with Israel to attack Iran. Russia and Türkiye, of course, oppose this. I believe that cooperation with Russia in the defense sector will be able to prevent an attack against Iran," he concluded.