Turkey Threatens to Order More S-400 Air Defence Systems if US Denies Patriot

Turkey may order another set of S-400 air defence systems from Russia if the United States refuses to supply Patriot air defense system to Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told NTV channel on Wednesday.

"If the US does not want to sell Patriot to us, tomorrow we may buy another S-400 system and we also can purchase other air defense systems," Cavusoglu said adding that a proposal made to the US on setting up a technical working group to iron out differences over the S-400 had not received any response, he noted.

Earlier, Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon told TASS that that the US Department of Defense was not considering plans on creating such a group with Turkey.

Cavusoglu said also said that Ankara was capable of approaching any other country in the world with an offer if the US refused to supply the newest fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to the republic.

"If we can’t have the F-35 jets, we will be forced to satisfy our fighter jets need somewhere else," he emphasized.

The US announced last week a freeze on parts supply to Turkey where certain components of F-35 are manufactured. The US also said it would undertake the parts manufacture from other locations.