Turkey’s path to S-400 and Sanctions?
A contentious exchange in a NATO ministerial meeting disturbed the waters between Turkey and the USA this week. Multiple sources reported that during the video conference U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Turkey of intentionally aggravating the Eastern Mediterranean situation and “gifting” Russia with the purchase of their S-400 defence system. The video conference was Secretary Pompeo’s last ministerial meeting with NATO as the U.S. prepares for their administration transition.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo puts on a mask before boarding a plane at Istanbul Aiport in Turkey. During this trip, Ankara was intentionally excluded from the itinerary. Photo Credit: Patrick Semansky, AP
The United States House of Representatives weighed in on the Eastern Mediterranean situation this week voting through a defence spending bill requiring the U.S. to sanction Turkey. U.S. concerns, however, remain focused on Turkey’s increasing alignment with Russia. If they impose sanctions, unlike the U.S., the European Union fears a flood of refugees from the Middle East for which Turkey is a bulwark.
Russia S-400 Air Defence System
The S-400 air defence system is developed, manufactured and sold by Russia. The missile system is operational in Russian, Chinese, and Turkish military forces. India is also in the process of acquiring the system. The S-400 combines multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting, anti-aircraft systems, launchers, and is capable of firing three types of missile.
U.S. officials claim that the S-400 threatens the capabilities of its F-35 stealth fighter jets. In response to the Turkish purchase of the Russian system, the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program for which Turkey was a manufacturer and buyer. Some commentators had hoped that the S-400 system would go unused. However, AK Party Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmus has rejected this suggestion, saying “we didn’t procure these to hide them”.
The future between Turkey and the U.S. is uncertain. Suggestions are dying out that the Biden administration would offer to sell Turkey the Patriot air defence system as a peace offering. Instead, speculation is growing that President-elect Biden plans to push a hard line with Turkey. Tension continues to rise, and a hardline policy may push Turkey into Russia’s waiting arms.
Sources:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-usa-idUKKBN2861X1
https://www.army-technology.com/projects/s-400-triumph-air-defence-missile-system/
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-turkey-target-each-other-nato-meeting/