S-400 Statement from Russia: Delivery Will Start Soon

Russia’s Minister of Trade Denis Manturov has commented on Turkey’s purchase of S-400 missile defense system from Russia by saying, “Turkey has held firm.” Manturov has also announced that the delivery of S-400 will start soon.

İstanbul

S-400 Statement from Russia: Delivery Will Start Soon

* Photograph: Ministry of Defense of Russia

Click to read the article in Turkish

Speaking to Russia news agency, Minister of Trade of Russia Denis Manturov has stated, "Despite the U.S. efforts to prevent Turkey from fulfilling the conditions of the agreement, the country has adopted a firm and uncompromising attitude about its purchase of S-400 air defense system."

As reported by Sputnik Turkey, Manturov also indicated, "All decisions have been made regarding the delivery of S-400 air defense system to Turkey. The delivery of the first parts will start soon as planned."

They destroy cruise and ballistic missiles

Though it was previously announced that Turkey would pay over 2 billion dollars for four S-400 batteries, the exact amount was unknown. Considered one of the most effective air defense systems of the world, S-400s can destroy all types of aerial vehicles as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.

With their 400-kilometer maximum range, S-400 systems can reach an altitude of 30 kilometers and can hit 80 targets at the same time.

Turkey's purchase of the S-400s

After the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, Ankara and Moscow began talks for the purchase of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. Fikri Işık, the then Minister of Defense, said in April 2017 that Turkey "urgently" needs an air defense system and that NATO member countries did not make Turkey a "financially effective" offer.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Erdoğan announced in September 2017 that Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the purchase of the missiles. Then Minister of Defense Nurettin Canikli said that they will purchase two systems and four batteries from Russia. The Undersecretary for Defense Industry said that the delivery of the missiles is planned to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

(PT/SD)