First Russian S-400 system arrives in Turkey

Although the United States has warned Turkey that it will face sanctions if it buys military technology from Russia and even though Washington has blocked, for the time being, the delivery of F-35 aircraft, Ankara does not take into account these clear signals transmitted both on public and official diplomatic channels.

First S-400 anti-aircraft defense system has arrived to Turkey. Turkish media quoting military sources says Russian aircraft carrying on board components of the first S-400 defense system left from Russia's air base near Tver, northwest of Moscow. According to Habertürk TV, 9 Russian military technicians arrived in Turkey to supervise the transport and installation of the S-400 system. First Turkish S-400 system will be installed near the capital of Ankara. Acquisition of Russia's anti-aircraft defense systems will cost Turkey $ 2.5 billion.

According to TASS, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the delivery of the anti-aircraft defense system to Ankara is according to contract between Russia and Turkey.

This acquisition by Turkey can be considered a Trojan horse in NATO's air defense system and is the beginning of the nuance of relations between Ankara and NATO. US officials have already threatened Turkey with removing the country from the F-35 program and imposing sanctions if it buys these rocket systems.

S-400 - or SA-21 Growler, as it is known within NATO - is one of the world's most developed anti-aircraft systems. When installed in an extended system, the S-400 has the ability to shoot a wide range of targets including combat drones, aircraft and cruise missiles.

S-400's long-range anti-aircraft missiles have been in the hands of Russian forces since 2007 and are destined to destroy aerial targets within a range of 200 km, 400 km in diameter and high up to 35 km. Even if Russian propaganda shows that these rockets are very good, they have not yet been tested in a major confrontation.

Patriot air defense system offered by the United States has already been tested in the wars in Iraq, Israel, and other real combat situations. For the first time in Europe, Patriot missiles were fired at Capu Midia, Romania, last month, within the NATO Saber Guardian exercise.

These systems, in the newest version, were also bought by Romania. Turkey would have had access to these anti-aircraft missile systems but preferred cooperation with Russia for the S-400. In fact, Ankara has announced its intention to work with Russia on future S-500 systems.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei