Türkiye and Russia sign agreement for the purchase of S-400 missile defense system.

(Baonghean.vn) - On July 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country had signed an agreement to purchase the S-400 missile defense system from Russia.

Speaking before members of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Parliament, President Erdogan emphasized: “We are currently taking the necessary steps with the Russian Federation on this issue. An agreement has been signed. And we hope to see the S-400 missile defense system deployed in our country, and we will continue this process through joint development.”

Russian S-400 medium- and long-range surface-to-air missile systems parade across Red Square. Photo: AP

The announcement comes amid US criticism of Ankara's potential purchase of a missile defense system from a non-NATO country. Addressing this issue, Erdogan emphasized: "Why should they care? Greece, a NATO member, has been using the S-300 system for years."

Earlier, on July 24, speaking to reporters at Ankara Esenboga airport, President Erdogan said that the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia was not "a cause for concern".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AP

In June, Vladimir Kozhin, an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that the two countries had agreed on the transfer of the S-400 mobile air defense system, but the Kremlin had not yet approved the loan for the deal.

The S-400 missile system is a new generation of Russian missile systems, launched in 2007. It can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying ground and air targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

Lan Ha

(According to THX)