{"id":52674,"date":"2019-07-22T15:11:11","date_gmt":"2019-07-22T15:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/07\/22\/russias-s-400-an-offer-us-partners-should-refuse\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:48:11","slug":"russias-s-400-an-offer-us-partners-should-refuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2019\/07\/22\/russias-s-400-an-offer-us-partners-should-refuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia\u2019s S-400: An offer US partners should refuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After Turkey insisted on acquiring the Russian-made S-400 air defense system<\/a>, the Trump administration wisely decided July 17 to remove Turkey<\/a> from the F-35 fighter program. Yet, in addition to Turkey, three U.S. partners \u2014 Saudi Arabia, Qatar and India \u2014 are either considering or procuring the S-400. They would be wise to reconsider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tass, the Russian news agency, reported<\/a> in February that Russia and Saudi Arabia were \u201cholding additional consultations on a contract\u201d to supply Riyadh with the S-400. Saudi Arabia and the United States have enjoyed a long-standing security relationship, as both countries seek to counter Iran. However, Riyadh\u2019s tactics in Yemen and deplorable human rights record<\/a>, as well as the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, have severely strained the U.S.-Saudi relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Riyadh adds insult to injury and procures the S-400, it could represent a tipping point in the relationship with Washington \u2014 especially on Capitol Hill<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatar has also shown interest in the S-400 and apparently engaged in \u201cadvanced\u201d talks<\/a> with Russia earlier this year. Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East and home of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, as well as over 11,000 U.S. and coalition service members. According to the Pentagon, the base \u201chas served as the primary staging ground for most air operations in the campaign to defeat ISIS.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should Qatar acquire the S-400, the Pentagon may decide it cannot operate U.S. F-35s<\/a> from Al Udeid. As the White House correctly noted, \u201cthe F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities.\u201d The F-35 will be the backbone of U.S. air power for decades to come. The U.S. cannot risk Russian compromise of its most important fighter. <\/p>\n\n\n\t