Russian S-400 systems pose no threat to NATO, says Turkey

  30 April 2019    Read: 2058
Russian S-400 systems pose no threat to NATO, says Turkey

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, which are purchased by Turkey, pose no threat to NATO, said Ibrahim Kalin, the Turkish presidential spokesperson, AzVision.az reports with reference to the Turkish media.

Kalin noted that the S-400 systems won’t be integrated into the NATO defense system.

He added that the US and NATO shouldn’t doubt that the S-400 systems don’t pose a threat to them.

Regarding Turkey’s membership in NATO, Kalin noted that Ankara is a member of NATO and its most important ally.

Earlier today, it was reported that Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered to Turkey in two cargoes.

The first cargo of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered in June this year, and the second one in July. It is expected that in November 2019, the first F-35 fighters will be delivered to Turkey.

The anti-aircraft missile systems may be installed in the south and west of Turkey. According to preliminary reports, they may be installed in western Turkey and the provinces bordering the Aegean Sea as well as in the province of Hatay on the border with Syria.

On April 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that specialists from the US and NATO could come to Turkey to make sure that Russian S-400 air defense systems do not pose a threat to NATO. He noted that Turkey is in dire need of the S-400 air defense system.

"Although the US urges Turkey to abandon the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems, it does not guarantee that it will sell us Patriot air defense systems," Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

Initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the supply of S-400 surfaced in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on September 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems would be deployed from October 2019. The supply of the S-400 air defense systems to Ankara cost $2.5 billion, head of the Rostec state corporation Sergey Chemezov said in December 2017. Turkey is the first country, a NATO member to receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia.


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