Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
The purchase of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems is a necessity arising from Turkey’s national interests, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, Trend reports with reference to Turkish media April 20.
Akar noted that a number of NATO countries have Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.
“Turkey fulfills all its obligations to NATO and is one of the most important allies of the Alliance,” said Akar.
On April 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that specialists from the US and NATO could come to Turkey to make sure that the Russian S-400 air defense systems do not pose a threat to NATO. "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," he said.
As US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced earlier, the US believes that Turkey will not be able to have both American F-35 fighter-bombers and Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems at the same time, as this is technically impossible. “According to Pentagon sources, is not possible to launch the F-35 in the space where the S-400 is operated,” he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed Turkey may receive the S-400 missile systems earlier than scheduled. According to the President, it was expected that Turkey would receive the first supplies of S-400 missile systems in July 2019.
He noted that despite appeals from the US, Turkey will not abandon the purchase of the S-400. "This issue has been already resolved by Turkey," said Erdogan.
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