Turkey Has Got Rid Of The S-400

• 10.07.2026, 14:24

Ankara resold Russian air defense systems to the Middle East.

The S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems purchased by Turkey from Russia have been sold to one of the Gulf states, reports the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.

“According to my information, the S-400s have been sold to a third country. The S-400s are being shipped to one of the Gulf states,” writes the publication’s journalist Abdulkadir Selvi.

According to him, work was underway the day before to “resolve certain issues,” and by midnight they had been resolved. According to some of the journalist’s sources, the buyer is the United Arab Emirates; according to others, Qatar purchased the systems. Both countries need the air defense systems due to escalating tensions in the region amid the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, the article states. Turkish authorities have not yet officially announced the deal.

By getting rid of the Russian S-400 air defense systems, Turkey will be freed from U.S. sanctions, the publication writes. This refers to U.S. restrictions imposed under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). In addition, this will help Turkey rejoin the U.S. fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program.