Faced with military equipment shortages, Russia wants to buy back air defense systems it sold NATO member Turkey over half a decade ago, it has been reported.

Turkish media said that Moscow had approached Ankara with a proposal to buy back the S-400 systems delivered in 2019 in a deal that caused ructions in the NATO alliance and prompted the U.S. to expel Turkey from its F-35 fighter jet program.

Russia wants the systems back and Turkish officials are open to the idea, according to reports which have not been confirmed by Ankara or Moscow.

Yörük Işık, analyst with the Istanbul-based Bosphorus Observer told Newsweek Tuesday "they should have never been purchased."

Newsweek has contacted the Russian foreign ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

In 2017, Turkey signed a $2.5 bill

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