ANKARA
As Turkey takes signature moves in its security policies like purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems, which raised tensions with the US, its pivotal security role could have consequences both regionally and all over the globe, according to a Turkish security analyst.
Asked about Washington’s firm opposition to Turkey's air defense deal with Moscow, Tolga Sakman told Anadolu Agency: "Turkey has a game-changing position, especially in its region, due to its power and capacity. For this reason, even small movements in Turkey's foreign or security policies can have regional and perhaps global effects."
Especially at a time when the NATO alliance has been called into question, "there is a concern that the diversification of the defense systems of one of the most important countries of the alliance with non-NATO sources supports the 'break in NATO' perception," said Sakman, the chairman of the Istanbul-based Center for Diplomatic Affairs and Political Studies (DIPAM).
Underlining that the S-400 system is not only "an ammunition purchase, but there is also the possibility of technology transfer in the near future," he said such a technology transfer would add "a level to Turkey's progress in the defense industry, which has been increasing recently."
"Turkey had to strengthen its air defense system, especially for a threat that could arise in its south," he said, adding that initially it tried to acquire US Patriot missiles, but when an agreement could not be reached on this, an alternative was sought.
Beyond being just a defense decision, Sakman said the purchase of the Russian system “seems like an important step for Turkey to show that it is making its own decisions and diversifying systems in its own defense."
'US has plans to replace Turkey to take advantage in defense of region'
Sakman said the US sanctions on Turkey over the S-400 can be seen as a "plan to replace Turkey" to take advantage of the security of the region.
"The US considers that its cooperation with some non-state actors and organizations beyond Turkey's southern border gives it an advantage in the defense of the region," he said. "It is also trying to make its security relations with Gulf countries more and more inclusive."
"They hope that these relations will help to make the Middle East geography safe in its own way," he added.
On Greece's new defense partnerships derived from its bilateral dialogues with the US, Britain, and France, Sakman said the country "has almost become a base for the defense of the region."
"NATO is increasing its military presence in Greece. In addition, efforts to expand the capacity of the Greek Armed Forces continue," he said. "The US is expected to approve the sale of F-35s to the Greek Air Force in the near future. It is also envisaged to support the Greek Armed Forces financially."
"In other words, it can be seen that there is a plan to replace Turkey in a more manageable way," he stressed.
Issue of F-16s, F-35 fighter jets
Asked whether the Pentagon accepting Turkey's request for modernization of F-16 fighter jets might signal finding common ground over the F-35 jets – a program Turkey was suspended from over the S-400 issue – Sakman said these situations "should be evaluated differently."
"We can say that the F-16 is an important combat aircraft and even the backbone of the Turkish Air Force. If needed, it is important and necessary to increase the number of these vehicles and adapt them to new technologies," he said. "However, the F-35 is one of the new generation jets and is technologically important for the capacity increase that will support the TAF's (Turkish Air Force’s) claim in the region."
Saying that much can and is being done to circumvent the F-35 dispute, he said: "But the purchase of the F-16 cannot be considered part of this process. It is an important proviso not only for the aircraft coming to Turkey, but also the continuation of the Turkish industries work as the development and production stakeholder of the project."
Turkey was suspended from the F-35 program in 2019 following Ankara's purchase of the S-400, a system the US says could be used by the Kremlin to covertly obtain data on the F-35s. Ankara says the S-400 system would not be integrated into NATO systems and so poses no risks to the F-35s.
Ankara also repeatedly proposed setting up a commission to clarify the issue.
Recently, Ankara proposed compensation for a $1.4 billion payment it made for the F-35s by Washington selling it new F-16 fighter jets, the F-16V, and upgrading its existing fleet -- a move that has so far been approached positively by the Biden administration.
Can Kasapoglu, a security and defense analyst at the Istanbul-based Educational Counseling and Research Center (EDAM), stressed the difference between the two fighter jets.
"The F-16V is a stopgap for Turkey, whereas the F-35 is a fifth-generation aircraft and an information superiority asset."
Although the US military and foreign policy bureaucracy, as well as defense industrial circles, seem to be optimistic about this F-16 sale, Kasapoglu, the director of EDAM's Security and Defense Studies Program, added: "It remains to be seen whether the US Congress will block the F-16V sale or not."
'F-16 sale easy way to avoid Russia-Turkey intimacy in defense area'
Kasapoglu evaluated the F-16 sale following the F-35 crisis as Washington's strategy to prevent Russia from getting closer to Turkey in the defense sector.
It provides "an easy way out" to keep the Turkish weapons market and to "avoid" Russia's will to take Turkey on its side in this area, he said.
He underlined that the US is willing to do this sale while its concerns on Kremlin to covertly obtain data continues, because "these concerns cannot be pertained to a legacy 4th generation baseline, even if it is the latest F-16V variant."
"Should Turkey secure the F-16V procurement, that would be an important step in maintaining the techno-generational relevancy of Turkish airpower," he said. "But we shouldn’t forget the fact that this would merely mark a stopgap until Turkey comes up with its national combat aircraft in the 2030s."
