Russia and Turkey are discussing delivery of Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems and the Su-35 and Su-57 jet fighters to the Republic of Turkey. Dmitry Shugayev, the Director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told journalists during the MAKS-2019 Aerospace Show on Wednesday.
“No doubt, the most important negotiations today will be those with my Turkish colleague, Head of the Defence Industry Administration under the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr. [Ismail] Demir. We will continue to discuss the subjects on our agenda, such as S-400, will cover the matter of further activities regarding the Su-35, [will negotiate] further potential delivery of the Su-57,” - Shugayev said.
According to him, Ankara is interested in Russian aircraft due to the suspension of Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program.
On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan took a look at the 5th generation jet fighter Su-57 at MAKS-2019.
S-400 delivery to Turkey
The Russian Ministry of Defence’s aircraft will make tens of flights during the second stage of delivery of S-400 air defence systems to Turkey.
The Service Director informed us that the training of Turkish specialists for the S-400 will be completed in the Russian Federation at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020. “The training of Turkish specialists is going on. It will be completed at the end of this or the beginning of the next year. In fact, this will allow us to put the S-400 on station in Turkey, according to the contract,” - he noted.
TF-X 5th generation jet fighter development
Russian and Turkey are ready to discuss the development project of the 5th generation Turkish national jet fighter TF-X (Turkish Fighter - X).
The TF-X is a 5th generation jet fighter project being developed by the Turkish aerospace company TAI as a replacement for the American F-16 aircraft.
In November 2017, Nurettin Canikli, being the head of the Turkey’s Ministry of Defence at that time, noted that many countries were participating in the project implementation, including the United Kingdom, but Turkey took that way in order not to depend on any particular country or company.
In March 2019, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay told that the first jet fighter made in Turkey would be presented in 2023 and and would take off on its maiden test flight in 2026. A prototype of the 5th generation Turkish jet fighter TF-X was presented for the first time at the 53rd Paris Air Show 2019, Le Bourget in June.
Russia’s revenue from defence products
The Director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) also told that products for Air Forces account for about 50% of Russia’s revenue from defence products.
“Products for Air Forces account for approximately 50%; this percentage has not decreased, while the percentage of air defence systems increased to 20%. It should be noted that the electronic warfare activity is important, we have a lot to offer as far as unmanned aerial vehicles are concerned,” - Shugayev said.
According to him, the Su-35 and Su-57E are considered the most promising in regards to combat aircraft exports. “Recently, we have made excellent progress regarding the Su-35. The Su-57E, for which the export design certificate has been obtained, is also promoted at the world market. Regarding military transport, the Il-76MD-90AE and Il-112VE military transport aircraft, as well as the Mi-38T helicopters are promoted,” - head of FSMTC added.
MAKS-2019
Information
MAKS-2019 International Aerospace Show is held in Zhukovsky on August 27 through September 1. The event is organized by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the State Corporation Rostec. 827 companies from 33 countries, including 184 foreign companies, are taking part in the show.
Original publication: TASS
