Erdogan suggests Turkey could look to Russia for jets

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday suggested Turkey could look to Russia for an alternative after the US excluded Ankara from its F-35 fighter jet programme.

Following Turkey’s controversial purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system, Washington discontinued Turkey’s involvement in the F-35 programme.

“If the US continues with the same attitude on the F-35 issue, we will take care of ourselves. Will it be the Su-35? The F-35? Or the Su-57?” Erdogan told reporters in Ankara, referring to Russia’s Sukhoi fighter jets.

"Beyond putting the Su-35, F-35 or Su-57 on the table, we are exploring what measures we can take for our defence industry, for our defence,” Erdogan said. He added that joint production and credit plans were conditions that would be sought.