Turkey to defy US over Russia missiles
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Turkey insisted it would go ahead with its controversial decision to buy the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, saying it was preparing for any possible sanctions from the United States.
Turkey’s push to buy the S-400 system has strained relations with the US, a NATO ally, which worries about integrating Russian technology with Turkey’s Western equipment.
Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters late on Tuesday that Ankara was “preparing” for US penalties under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which prohibits business with Russia’s state and private defense and intelligence sectors.
He added that Turkey was “fed up” with just being a buyer of military equipment and wanted to be involved in joint production and technology transfers.
“The idea that we always buy, you always produce, is finished,” he said in Ankara.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey and Russia would jointly produce S-500 defense systems after buying the S-400.
Turkey has already sent personnel to Russia for training, Akar said, and the system could be delivered as early as June or July. Last month, he said the S-400 would likely be used to protect the capital Ankara and Istanbul.
In a bid to force Turkey to cancel its S-400 deal, the US offered a renewed proposal in March for Patriots, its own anti-missile and anti-aircraft weapon system. The US says buying the S-400 could jeopardize Turkey’s involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program, for which it provides some parts.
Akar said Turkey was still considering the offer but that there had been “general easing” in negotiations with the US on the F-35s and Patriots.
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