Turkey, Russia close to reaching agreement on Su-35 fighter jet sale

Thanks to Alpay for the link!

via Daily Sabah

Turkish and Russian officials are discussing the details of the sale of a total of 36 Su-35 fighter jets to Turkey, two months after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS) aviation show outside of Moscow.

Sources added that officials are also discussing Turkey's possible involvement in the production of some components of the fighter jets, including its precision weapons and ammunition.

At a visit to MAKS-2019 on Aug. 27, Erdoğan was shown the newest generation of Russian stealth aircraft, the Su-57 fighter jet, Su-35 fighter jets, the Ka-52 military helicopter and Mi-38 transport helicopter.

Soon after Erdoğan's visit, Sergei Chemezov, the head of Russia's state-owned manufacturer Rostec, said they would be willing to sell Russia's top air superiority warplane to Turkey if Ankara "expresses the desire."

Story here. 

Hmm.  What I find interesting is that the Turks aren't biting on buying the SU-57.  What does that tell us?  Either...

1.  They have knowledge of the F-35 and the SU-57 doesn't measure up.

2.  The SU-35 will meet their immediate needs.

3.  They don't have the money available to enter into another development program partnered with the Russians.

4.  They don't trust partnering with another nation after being burned in the F-35 deal.

Can't wait to hear more on this deal...