Turkey guarantees Russia the security of data on S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems that Ankara received from Moscow, the head of the Turkish Defense Industry Department Ismail Demir announced.
"Russia has expressed concern about the [safety] of S-400 data, and Turkey promises to protect these systems," Milliyet newspaper quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, in late June, the US Defense News reported that the party organizer of the Republicans faction in the Senate, John Thune (South Dakota) proposed an amendment to the draft law on budget allocations for national defense for fiscal year 2021, which involved the purchase of the existing Turkey S-400 on the budget of the US army for the purchase of the missile. Later, the press service of the Federal service for military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation reported that Turkey would not be able to transfer or resell S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to third countries without the appropriate permission from Russia.
In addition, Demir also commented on the possible exclusion of Turkey from the project to create a US fifth-generation F-35 fighter. According to him, such a step by Washington will result in an increase in the cost of each combat vehicle by $7-9 million.
The head of the Turkish defense industry also recalled that Ankara from the very beginning planned to put into operation the S-400 to protect the country.
In September 2017, the Russian Federation announced a contract with Turkey for the supply of S-400, its cost is $2.5 billion. The first deliveries began on July 12, 2019. The United States and NATO actively oppose Turkey's acquisition of S-400. The White House press secretary on July 17, 2019, reported that the Republic's decision to purchase S-400 makes it impossible for it to continue participating in the program to create American F-35 fighters.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Sergey Malgavko / TASS
Based on materials from TASS