Delivery of S-400 systems may be delayed until after June: Turkish DM

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the delivery of advanced Russian built S-400 air defense missile systems to his country “might be delayed until after June” irrespective of US pressure and threats of imposing sanctions on Ankara over the purchase of the military hardware.

“They may not catch June, but will arrive in following months. The process has started,” Akar said in an exclusive interview with local Turkish-language Haberturk television news network.

PressTV-Russia denounces US ultimatum to Turkey

The US State Department reportedly gave Turkey until the end of the first week of June to scrap the deal.

“There are some details about the agreements we have made regarding the procurement of the S-400, within the framework of the contracts. Related institutions and organizations continue to negotiate about them,” he added.

The Turkish defense minister then refused to comment on “assumptions” when asked about measures Turkey would adopt in case of possible US sanctions over Ankara’s procurement of S-400 missile defense system from Moscow.

“We are carrying out activities in a way that will completely fulfill the responsibilities given to us,” Akar said, adding that Turkey has made full payment for F-35 fighter jets to Washington.

PressTV-Turkey ‘preparing for bans as US deadline on S-400 nears’

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says his country is preparing for potential sanctions as a US deadline looms for Ankara to cancel an arms deal with Russia or risk penalties.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Turkish-language and nationwide Kanal 7 television network on May 5, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said United States concerns as to Ankara’s purchase of S-400 systems from Moscow were not reasonable and added that Turkey would not back down.

Oktay's comments came only two days after Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan warned that the Pentagon will halt manufacturing support for the F-35 fighter jets in Turkey if Ankara does not abandon plans to buy the Russian missile defense system.

Shanahan noted that he had met delegations from US aerospace manufacturers Lockheed Martin and United Technologies to discuss options if Turkey refuses to take the measure.

PressTV-Turkey now eyes Russia’s S-500 missile system

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the purchase of Russian S-400 missiles is “a done deal” and Ankara now seeks to buy a more advanced version of the defense system.

The United States announced on April 1 that it would be suspending all “deliveries and activities” related to Turkey’s procurement of F-35 stealth fighter jets over Ankara’s plans to purchase the S-400s.

On April 24, Turkey Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his country will look elsewhere for an alternative to American F-35 fighter jets if Washington blocks the delivery of its advanced stealth warplanes to Ankara.

Moscow and Ankara finalized an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 in December 2017.

PressTV-Russia: S-400 deal with Turkey being fully implemented

A Russian presidential aide says his country’s deal to deliver S-400 missile defense systems to Turkey is being fully implemented.

Back in April 2018, Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said in Ankara that they had agreed to expedite the delivery of the S-400. At the time, it was said that the delivery could be made between late 2019 and early 2020.

A number of NATO member states have criticized Turkey for its planned purchase of the S-400, arguing the missile batteries are not compatible with those of the military alliance.

They also argue that the purchase could jeopardize Ankara’s acquisition of F-35 fighter jets and possibly result in US sanctions.

PressTV-‘Turkey won’t bow to US sanctions over S-400 deal’

A senior Turkish official says Ankara will not bow to US sanction over the purchase of Russia's S-400.

The S-400 is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India.

Ankara is striving to boost its air defense, particularly after Washington decided in 2015 to withdraw its Patriot surface-to-air missile system from Turkish border with Syria, a move that weakened Turkey’s air defense.

Before gravitating towards Russia, the Turkish military reportedly walked out of a $3.4-billion contract for a similar Chinese system. The withdrawal took place under purported pressure from Washington.

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