Turkey says that S-400 missile systems supplied by Russia pose no threat to NATO
The S-400 missile systems that Moscow will supply to Ankara do not pose a threat to NATO, said Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli.
"In the S-400s, which will be delivered to Turkey in 2019, "friend-foe" identification systems will be modified," he told the newspaper Yeni Safak.
Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the delivery of the S-400 in mid-September. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Ankara had already made the first payment.
The contract was criticized in the US, who said that Turkey’s best option would be an anti-missile defense system compatible with NATO armament. However, the Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg noted that Ankara has the right to make such decisions for itself.
In mid-November, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that signing a contract with Russia would not affect Ankara's relations with NATO. According to him, Turkey decided to purchase the S-400 because Turkey was unable to obtain similar air defense systems from alliance countries because of the lack of support by the US.
The S-400 Triumph is the newest long range anti-aircraft missile system. It is designed to destroy aviation, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground targets.
In addition to Turkey, in mid-October Saudi Arabia also agreed with Russia on the supply of anti-aircraft missile systems.