Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all host US military bases and operate American weapons systems, notes an intelligence official
Turkey’s intention to sell its Russian-made S-400 air defence system to a Gulf state in order to pave the way for acquiring American F-35 fighter jets raises new security fears, according to a regional intelligence official.
Washington has long argued if Turkey operated US-built F-35 fighter jets alongside Russia’s S-400 air defence system on the same territory then it would allow Moscow to collect sensitive data on the West’s most advanced stealth aircraft, potentially compromising its capabilities.
Donald Trump the US president, said at the NATO summit that he would support Turkey’s return to the F-35 programme, from which it has been excluded since 2020 following its purchase of the Russian air defence system.
The Turkish daily Hürriyet reported on 10 July that a deal had been reached to sell the S-400 to either Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the matter was “highly sensitive” and confirmed that talks with the Turkish side were ongoing.
