Fri 12 July 2019:
The first S-400 parts delivered at Murted air base, the defence ministry tweeted. The purchase created a rift between Turkey and US which argues the Russian systems are not compatible with NATO equipment and may compromise its F-35 jets.
Ankara received the first batch of Russia’s S-400 missile defence system hardware on Friday, Turkey’s defence ministry said. “First batch of equipment of S-400 missile defence system, which is procured to meet Turkey’s air and missile defence need, has started to arrive at Murted air base in Ankara as of July 12, 2019,” the ministry said on Twitter.
Turkey-US row
Ankara’s purchase of the surface-to-air missile defence systems caused tensions in relations with its NATO ally, the US. Following protracted efforts to purchase an air defence system from the US with no success, Ankara signed the supply contract in April 2017 to purchase the Russian S-400s. US officials urged Turkey to buy US Patriot missiles, arguing the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose the F-35s to possible Russian subterfuge.
Turkey, however, emphasised the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance. Turkey has urged formation of a commission to clarify any technical issues, but the US has failed to respond to this proposal.
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