The first parts of a Russian S-400 missile defence system were delivered to NATO member Turkey on July 12, the Turkish defence ministry said, a development set to escalate tensions with the United States which has warned of sanctions over the deal.
The
S-400 consignment was delivered to the Murted Air Base outside the capital Ankara, the ministry
said.
"The delivery of parts
belonging to the system will continue in the coming days," Turkey's Defence
Industry Directorate said separately. "Once the system is completely
ready, it will begin to be used in a way determined by the relevant
authorities."
President Tayyip Erdogan said
after meeting President Donald Trump at a G20 summit last month that the United States did not plan to impose sanctions
on Ankara for
buying the S-400s. Trump said Turkey
had not been treated fairly but did not rule out sanctions.
The United States says the
S-400s are not compatible with NATO's defence network and could compromise its
Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets, an aircraft Turkey is helping to
build and planning to buy.
Under possible US sanctions, Turkey could face expulsion from
the F-35 programme, a move Erdogan has dismissed. But Washington
has already started the process of removing Turkey
from the F-35 programme, halting training of Turkish pilots in the United States
on the aircraft.
Source: NDO
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