Syrian leadership and Turkey eye strategic defence alliance
According to Reuters, the new Syrian authorities, led by interim President Ahmed al-Shara, are negotiating a defence pact with Turkey. Turkish media, which confirm these reports, indicate that the agreement might include the establishment of two military bases in Syria and the deployment of, among others, dozens of F-16 fighters.
The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime was an event that captured the attention of nearly the entire world. It was felt most intensely by Russia, which lost a lot of equipment and, most importantly, key bases in Syria, and thus influence in the entire region. Turkey, which long supported the opposition to Bashar al-Assad, is currently listed among the countries that may gain the most from the change in power in Syria.
New Syrian authorities negotiate with Turkey
According to sources from Reuters, Ankara is determined to fill the void left by Russia (and to a lesser extent Iran) and strengthen its position relative to the Gulf countries and Israel. The defence pact being negotiated with the new Syrian authorities is said to include several points, including Turkey establishing new air bases in Syria, utilizing Syrian airspace for military purposes, and playing a leading role in training soldiers for the new Syrian army.
Turkish media add that F-16 fighters could be sent to Syria. Although Ankara is facing its own problems regarding the modernization of its air force (mainly due to its exclusion from the F-35 acquisition program), as the second most powerful NATO force after the United States, it has a highly developed fleet, which includes over 200 F-16 fighters. Up to 50 such aircraft could be sent to Syria.
Turkish weapons may be deployed in Syria
The F-16 is the most popular combat aircraft in the world, a multirole fighter that can reach speeds of up to Mach 2 (over 1,930 km/h) and operate at altitudes of up to 15,000 metres. It is also capable of carrying various types of armaments, including AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and bombs.
Reuters, citing a senior official from Damascus who wishes to remain anonymous, reports that the new bases in Syria would be designed to defend the country's airspace in the event of any future attacks. Besides F-16 fighters, Turkish radar and electronic warfare systems could also be stationed in Syria.
One of the major demands of the new Syrian government in ongoing negotiations is the acquisition of modern Turkish weaponry, mainly drones. This likely refers to the Bayraktar TB2 drones or the more advanced Bayraktar Akinci.
