OREANDA-NEWS. Russian anti-aircraft missile systems S-400 will be used by Ankara regardless of the NATO system. This was stated on October 22 by the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, Hulusi Akar. “The S-400 will not be integrated into the NATO command infrastructure. They will be used independently,” he explained.

According to the politician, the acquisition of the S-400 from Russia does not mean that Turkey is moving away from North Atlantic Alliance. The head of the Turkish Defense Ministry added that Ankara is also ready to consider the possibility of acquiring anti-aircraft missile systems Patriot from the United States, but only on favourable terms for Turkey. At the same time, Akar emphasized that so far only Russia has “adequately responded to Turkey’s needs” in this sphere.

Deliveries of Russian air defense systems to Turkish army began in the middle of June 2019. This led to a crisis in relations between Ankara and Washington.