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The first batch of Russian S-400 missile defense systems was fully delivered to Turkey on July 25th, the Turkish National Defense Ministry announced. According to reprots in Russian media, a third delivery, carrying over “120 anti-aircraft missiles of various types” will be delivered “tentatively at the end of the summer, by sea.”
The $US 2.5 billion deal between Russia and Turkey was reached in late 2017. Since then, the US has contributed variuos efforts to undermine the deal and prevent the dlivery threatening Turkey with a wide range of sanctions. Nonetheless, Washington has not achieved its goal.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the S-400 system will be fully delivered and become operational by April 2020. He added that Turkey will turn elsewhere for fighter jets if the US does not sell it the F-35 aircraft.
“Are you not giving us the F-35s? OK, then excuse us but we will once again have to take measures on that matter as well and we will turn elsewhere,” Erdogan told a gathering of his Justice and Development Party in the capital, Ankara.
