Turkey Agrees Not to Integrate S-400 With NATO Systems
WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Russian S-400 systems will not be integrated into any active NATO military systems, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in Washington.
"This system will not be integrated neither with NATO's systems nor with any other somehow connected to NATO's national [military] systems," the minister said during an annual U.S.-Turkey conference in Washington.
He vowed that the decision would not change Turkey's commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Turkish minister also expressed hope that other NATO countries would also keep their commitments to Turkey.
"The procurement of the S-400 is not an issue," Akar said. "We believe that all disagreements can and should be resolved."
Commenting on the technical discussions with the United States, the minister noted that Turkey was ready for them and it would address concerns over Ankara's procurement of Russian S-400 systems.
"We are prepared to engage in technical discussions to address U.S. concerns over the S-400 procurement," Akar said adding that Turkey's move to acquire the S-400 purchase is a "national decision."
Akar also said the purchase of the missile systems from Russia should not unleash U.S. sanctions, saying, "Threats, ultimatums and deadlines are not constructive and contrary to the spirit of an alliance.”
Early this month, the U.S. threatened that it would suspend all "deliveries and activities” related to Turkey's procurement of F-35 stealth fighter jets over Ankara's plans to purchase the S-400.
"We firmly believe that linking the S-400 to the F-35 project is unfortunate,” Akar further said, adding, "We expect the United States and other project partners to honor their commitments.”
The S-400 system, whose full name is the Triumph Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India.
Moscow and Ankara finalized an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 missile systems in December 2017. Back in April last year, both sides announced that they had agreed to expedite the delivery of the systems. At the time it was said that the delivery could be made between late 2019 and early 2020.
The deal has since drawn concerns among some of Turkey’s NATO allies, particularly the US, claiming that the missile batteries are not compatible with those of the military alliance. Washington says it will not allow F-35s to operate alongside the S-400 systems.
"This system will not be integrated neither with NATO's systems nor with any other somehow connected to NATO's national [military] systems," the minister said during an annual U.S.-Turkey conference in Washington.
He vowed that the decision would not change Turkey's commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Turkish minister also expressed hope that other NATO countries would also keep their commitments to Turkey.
"The procurement of the S-400 is not an issue," Akar said. "We believe that all disagreements can and should be resolved."
Commenting on the technical discussions with the United States, the minister noted that Turkey was ready for them and it would address concerns over Ankara's procurement of Russian S-400 systems.
"We are prepared to engage in technical discussions to address U.S. concerns over the S-400 procurement," Akar said adding that Turkey's move to acquire the S-400 purchase is a "national decision."
Akar also said the purchase of the missile systems from Russia should not unleash U.S. sanctions, saying, "Threats, ultimatums and deadlines are not constructive and contrary to the spirit of an alliance.”
Early this month, the U.S. threatened that it would suspend all "deliveries and activities” related to Turkey's procurement of F-35 stealth fighter jets over Ankara's plans to purchase the S-400.
"We firmly believe that linking the S-400 to the F-35 project is unfortunate,” Akar further said, adding, "We expect the United States and other project partners to honor their commitments.”
The S-400 system, whose full name is the Triumph Mobile Multiple Anti-Aircraft Missile System (AAMS), is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India.
Moscow and Ankara finalized an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 missile systems in December 2017. Back in April last year, both sides announced that they had agreed to expedite the delivery of the systems. At the time it was said that the delivery could be made between late 2019 and early 2020.
The deal has since drawn concerns among some of Turkey’s NATO allies, particularly the US, claiming that the missile batteries are not compatible with those of the military alliance. Washington says it will not allow F-35s to operate alongside the S-400 systems.