Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 7
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
By acquiring Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs), Ankara acts exclusively from its national interests, said Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media.
According to Oktay, Turkey won’t abandon the purchase Russian S-400 SAMs.
The Vice President noted that the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense system is Turkey’s decision, and no one has the right to stand on the way of Ankara.
The US is actively taking steps to prevent the purchase of Russian S-400 SAMs by Turkey. Washington has warned Ankara, in particular, that in case of acquisition of these systems from Moscow, the US may refuse to sell its fifth-generation F-35 multi-role combat aircraft to Turkey.
The initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey regarding the S-400 came in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on Sept. 12, 2017.
The Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar stated that the deployment of S-400 is set to begin in October 2019.
As stated by Sergei Chemezov, head of the Russian State Corporation Rostec in December 2017, S-400 costs around $2.5 billion for Ankara.
Turkey is the first NATO member to acquire SAMs of such type from Russia.
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