Turkey To Receive Russian S-400 Missile Defense Systems From July

Turkey is expected to receive S-400 Triumf missile defense systems by this year end, TASS reports quoting an official as saying.  

"We plan to fulfill our commitments on delivering equipment and training specialists by the end of this year," the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said on Wednesday.

The contract is being fulfilled in accordance with the timeframe coordinated by the sides, the service added. "As Turkish officials repeatedly stated, the equipment can be delivered as early as next month," the service noted.

General director of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev confirmed to RIA Novosti that the delivery will begin next month.

The plans of Turkey, a NATO member, have irked Washington, which threatened with sanctions against Ankara if it goes ahead with the purchase.

Washington is reportedly halting the training of Turkish pilots of U.S. F-35 fighter jets in addition to threatening economic and other military sanctions as Ankara insists on its S-400 deal with Russia.