Turkey can buy Russian Su-35 and Su-57 fighters instead of American F-16s. This was stated by the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Department Ismail Demir. His statement is reported by RIA Novosti .
Demir noted that Turkey may purchase Russian Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets in case the sale of F-16 aircraft is frozen. "If necessary, the topic of Su-35 and Su-57 can be opened at any time. Our industry is doing everything to ensure our safety, and if something extra is needed, we can always find a way out," he said.
In early October, it became known about plans to purchase 40 F-16V Block 70 fighters and 80 sets to modernize existing aircraft for the needs of the Turkish Air Force. The development of a new deal began after Turkey was excluded from the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter program. The reason for this was the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.
In April, Matthew Bromberg, a representative of Pratt & Whitney, noted that the exclusion of Turkey from the F-35 development program led to an increase in the cost of the F135 engine. He noted that some of the components for the engine were manufactured in Turkey.
In June 2020, Ismail Demir suggested that the cost of each F-35 aircraft would increase by $7-9 million after Turkey's withdrawal from the program. He stressed that the total cost of aircraft production will also increase.
Daniil Irinin
