Turkey receives second battery of S-400 missile systems from Russia
Turkey received all components of the second battery of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, reports the press service of the Turkish Defense Ministry. The equipment was delivered to Mürted Airfield Command in Ankara on August 27.
Works on the installation of the system and training of personnel are continuing. The system should be operational by April 2020.
In 2017, Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the supply of four S-400 missile systems with a total cost of $2.5 billion. The components for the air-defense system were delivered to Ankara in July. Under the contract, Russia will also transfer part of the production technology to Turkey.
The US and NATO actively oppose the purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions against Ankara, refusing to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The White House pointed out that the purchase of the S-400 excludes Turkey from the participation in the program of producing American fifth-generation fighter-jets.
The Turkish authorities admitted the possibility of concluding another contract with Russia for an additional batch of S-400 but noted, that they would do that only if they are not able to buy Patriot surface-to-air missile system from the United States.