Turkey To Deploy S-400 Battery In ‘Strategically Important” Location In South-east

Turkey is likely to deploy the first of the two Russian-made S-400 batteries in Ankara while another of those batteries will be installed at a “strategically important location” in the eastern and south-eastern region of Turkey, sources have revealed.

“Places where S-400 will be deployed have been determined,” Ömer Çelik, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik was quoted as saying by Daily Sabah last week. Celik did not divulge any other details.

“Ankara will begin receiving Russian S-400 Triumf missile defense systems in about ten days,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced during his visit to Japan for the G20 Osaka summit. 

He also said Turkey will resolve all friction caused between Washington and Ankara over the S-400 purchase and is awaiting the delivery of American F-35 stealth fighters, even as the US halted the training of Turkish pilots of F-35 aircraft.

In addition, the US threatened economic and other military sanctions as Ankara insisted on its S-400 deal with Russia. But, according to the Turkish president, the US will not impose sanctions against the country.

The relationship between the two countries soured further with Russia’s proposal of manufacturing components of the S-400 systems jointly with Turkey.

Recent reports suggested that Turkey was considering alternatives such as the Russian Su-57, Chinese J-31 or even accelerating the development of its own fighter jet, after the US-Turkey F-35 Jet deal seemed to be heading towards a possible collapse.