The S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM), which Turkey bought from Russia, pose a threat to the aircraft of NATO member countries. This was announced on Tuesday, December 29, by the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Jens Stoltenberg, Interfax reports.
According to Stoltenberg, the Russian-made system cannot be integrated into NATO air defenses, since it is incompatible with the technologies used by the alliance countries. “In addition, it poses a risk to the planes of the allies,” the secretary general stressed.
He noted that he had repeatedly pointed out this fact to Ankara, and added that he supported Turkey's negotiations on the possible supply of Patriot or SAMP / T air defense systems instead of the S-400. As Stoltenberg explained, both of these systems will increase Turkey's defense capabilities, while they can be integrated into the overall defense system of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Earlier in December, Stoltenberg admitted that he regretted the sanctions against Turkey, which the United States imposed over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400s. He noted that NATO countries should not impose sanctions on each other, but at the same time stressed that he did not approve of Turkey's choice.
On December 14, Washington imposed sanctions against Ankara over the Russian S-400. Restrictive measures will affect the heads of the secretariat of the Turkish defense industry Ismail Demir, other employees of the department, as well as three more individuals associated with the deal between Ankara and Moscow.
Prior to that, Turkey paid off with Russia for the supply of S-400 air defense systems. The head of the state corporation “Rostec” Sergei Chemezov said that Ankara will have to decide on the supply of the second batch of S-400.
Deliveries of the S-400, which caused a crisis in relations between Turkey and the United States, began in mid-July 2019. Washington demanded to abandon the deal and purchase American Patriot systems in return, threatening to delay or even cancel the sale of fifth-generation F-35 fighters to Turkey.
