Türkiye and Russia sign agreement to purchase 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 Russia's S-400 missile defense system.

“We are currently taking the necessary steps with the Russian Federation on this issue. The 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 production,” Erdogan told lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party in parliament.

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

The announcement came amid US criticism of Ankara's possible purchase of a missile defense system from a non-NATO country. Referring to this issue, Mr. Erdogan stressed: "Why do they care? Greece, a NATO member, has been using the S-300 system for many years."

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AP

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser Vladimir Kozhin said the two countries had agreed on the delivery of S-400 mobile defense systems, but the Kremlin had not yet approved a loan for the deal.

The S-400 missile is a new generation of Russian missile system 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)