S-400 Systems Ready for Use, Says Hulusi Akar

Turkey's Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar has announced that the S-400 surface-to-air missile system purchased from Russia is ready for use, according to NTV television.

"The S-400 is ready for deployment on site. Whenever a threat emerges, we will decide where to install it and do so," said the Turkish minister.

Meanwhile, he noted that Turkey is making efforts to purchase F-16s, but otherwise, Ankara has alternatives.

It should be recalled that in 2017, Russia and Turkey signed the first contract for the S-400 systems worth $2.5 billion. The agreement with the Russian Federation strained Turkey's relations with the United States. As a result of this deal, President Donald Trump's administration excluded Ankara from the F-35 acquisition program and later imposed sanctions on the country's defense industry and its leaders.