Russian S-400 Systems Installation to Begin Oct. 2019: Turkey

TEHRAN (defapress) – The installation of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems in Turkey will begin in October 2019, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by the Hurriyet newspaper on Thursday.

News ID: 73276

Date: 25 October 2018 - 12:13

Akar also said that personnel would be sent to Russia to receive training at the start of 2019, Reuters reported.

He said the F-35 fighter jet program with the United States was continuing as planned, with the third and fourth jets in the program to be delivered in March next year.

In December 2017, Russia and Turkey signed a loan agreement to supply S-400 air defense systems to Ankara. Two S-400 batteries will be operated and serviced by the Turkish military, according to the Turkish defense industry secretariat.

In April, Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport director general said that Russia had started manufacturing S-400 systems for Turkey.

The deal triggered disagreements between Ankara and Washington, with the latter threatening to impose sanctions against Turkey, as the United States believes that the weapon is incompatible with the NATO defenses.

In mid-April, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell said Ankara's purchase of the S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia could negatively affect the delivery of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu responded by saying that Ankara would take retaliatory measures against Washington if it blocked the delivery of these jets.

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