Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, said Russia and Turkey have been discussing the joint production of fifth generation warplanes, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
Noting that Turkey is able to assemble its own warplanes, Chemezov in an interview with Anadolu said: “Turkey has the required infrastructure. We can create something new and modern together.”
Regarding the talks on sale of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey, Chemezov said talks concerning technical issues have been completed but that those on financing were continuing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Moscow was ready to sell its S-400 air defense systems to Turkey, adding that he had discussed the issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“We discussed the possibility of selling S-400s [to Turkey]. We are ready for this,” Putin said in answer to a question from a Turkish reporter at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
“We are ready to deliver these newest and most efficient systems. President Erdoğan and our countries’ militaries are aware of it.”
In April, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık had said: “Work and talks concerning the S-400 have now reached the final stage. There are related processes ongoing in both Turkey and Russia. An important step for a final agreement has been taken.”
“You [NATO] neither share technology and respond to demands for joint production, nor present an offer that is financially effective. Hence, you are not in a position to say ‘Don’t buy a non-NATO system’,” added Işık.
Speaking about cooperation between Moscow and Ankara in assembling the defense systems in Turkey, Putin said it depends on the readiness of the local manufacturing industry.
“At the moment, we don’t produce those systems abroad.”
Currently, Russia and India are jointly producing the Brahmos hypersonic missile, but such projects require massive investment in technologies and human resources, the president said.
“But in the end, nothing is impossible,” added Putin.