The process of deploying Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in Turkey will begin in October, Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar said.
The head of the military department also reiterated that the acquisition of the Russian defence systems was "not a preference for Turkey, but a necessary measure." In addition, he added that Ankara and Washington "are continuing negotiations on the possible supply of the US Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to the republic."
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that no state has the right to try to prevent Turkey from purchasing the S-400, particularly if they didn't want to sell their own systems to Ankara themselves.
Recently, US State Department spokesperson warned that Turkey may be slapped with secondary sanctions and lose access to the F-35 fighter plane if it went ahead with its plans to purchase the S-400.
Russia and Turkey penned a $2.5-billion contract on four battalions of S-400s in December 2017, with the first of the systems set to arrive later this year. Designed to stop enemy aircraft, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, the S-400 is the most advanced mobile air defence system in Moscow's arsenal.
No comments:
Post a Comment