S-400 air defense systems purchased by Ankara back in 2017 were reportedly sold to one Persian Gulf country — Qatar or UAE.
Currently this is insider information from authoritative Turkish journalist Abdulkadir Selvi close to power circles in state publication Hurriyet pages. Its credibility should become known shortly, as he noted official announcement of Turkiye's S-400 sale will be made within 24 hours.
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However Defense Express notes such scenario appears quite probable. Since 2025, talk about Ankara wanting to rid itself of russian S-400s has circulated very actively, with Turkish and American government negotiations beginning back in fall 2025.
Also worth recalling this involves four S-400 batteries (two regimental sets) with missile stockpile, on which Ankara spent $2.5 billion.
During this time, variants were reportedly discussed where Turks could return S-400s to russia itself, or sell to South Korea. Although Qatar or UAE variant did not figure, it also appears possible.
Ultimately now Gulf countries may be trying to buy up all possible air defense assets given iran threat. Although UAE Pantsir operation experience should have been cautionary. Additionally, buyer must also resolve question of where to get missiles for russian S-400s, which even russia feels certain shortage of.
This is precisely why Turkiye's decision to rid itself of S-400s appeared quite expected, as this russian SAM became not just suitcase without handle but toxic suitcase without handle whose real combat effectiveness could raise questions in Ankara. Not to mention that main condition for Turkiye's return to active defense cooperation with U.S. was precisely S-400 abandonment.
Specifically after Turkiye rids itself of these systems, U.S. Congress will be able to lift CAATSA law effect, through which Ankara was kicked from F-35 program. But upon its cancellation, Turkiye's return to it indeed becomes possible, but hardly on same terms as before.
Then Turkish defense industry received Level III participation status together with Australia, Canada, Denmark and Norway, providing for Turkiye producing over 900 individual F-35 components. By Ankara estimates this was approximately 6-7% of total volume and guaranteed approximately $9 billion revenue over entire F-35 lifecycle.
However currently all other F-35 buyers do this through FMS mechanism, on general terms with quite low localization level. At the same time for Ankara now critical may not be possibility to purchase F-35 but American engine supply question for own KAAN fighter, which U.S. Congress is already attempting to block.
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