According to Turkey’s Hürriyet newspaper, the long-standing obstacle posed by Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 air defense systems — which led to its removal from the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program — appears to be dissipating. The paper reports that the S-400 systems have already been sold to a Gulf country, with official announcements expected today, July 10, 2026.
Final Details Finalized
Pro-government columnist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote in Hürriyet that the final technical details of the deal were settled late Thursday evening, July 9, 2026. Formal statements are anticipated before the end of the day.
Possible Buyers
The newspaper identifies the United Arab Emirates or Qatar as the most likely purchasers — though neither government nor Ankara has confirmed the sale.
Implications for U.S.-Turkey Relations
Hürriyet notes that this arrangement is viewed by U.S. officials as the most legally compatible option under current sanctions law, potentially paving the way for lifting CAATSA penalties and restarting discussions on Turkey’s possible re-engagement with the F-35 program. However, the paper stresses that such a move does not automatically guarantee Turkey’s return to the program.
U.S. authorities have consistently maintained that removing the S-400 systems from Turkish service is a prerequisite for considering Turkey’s reintegration into the F-35 initiative.
As of now, the reported sale has not been officially confirmed by either Ankara or Washington.