Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) S-400 in Turkey are ready for commissioning. This was announced on Monday, January 11, by the head of the Office of the Defense Industry (UOP) of Turkey, Ismail Demir.
“The S-400 are ready for use, the armed forces will make a decision when the need arises,” the 24 TV channel quoted Demir as saying.
The representative of the Defense Industry Administration also noted that Turkish enterprises continue to work in the framework of the project to create the fifth generation of American F-35 fighters, despite the decision of the United States to exclude them from this program. In addition, he admitted the likelihood of buying a second batch of Russian air defense systems, despite US sanctions.
On December 30, 2020, Turkey and the United States agreed to create a working group due to the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system by the Turkish side and began technical sentences. On the eve, the Turkish side announced its readiness not to succumb to the sanctions pressure from Washington. On December 14, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkish officials and institutions responsible for the purchase of the S-400.
Deliveries of Russian S-400 air defense systems to Ankara began in mid-June 2019, which led to a crisis in relations between Turkey and the United States. The American administration has repeatedly condemned the acquisition of Russian weapons by the NATO country and insisted on the purchase by Turkey of systems produced in the United States.
The S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system can destroy modern air attack targets, including ballistic missiles. The detection range is up to 600 km, the radius of the cover zone is 400 km.