10th Russian plane with components of S-400 missile systems arrives in Turkey

Tenth Russian plane with components of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems has arrived in Turkey, Trend reports with reference to Turkish media.

It is reported that the plane landed in the Murted (former Akinci) Air Base.

Two more planes are expected to arrive at the Murted Air Base.

On July 12, Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said that the sending the first cargo of S-400 anti-aircraft missile system components to Turkey has begun. According to him, parts of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system will be delivered to Ankara.

NATO expressed concern over reports of the delivery of S-400 missile systems to Turkey.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the General Staff and the Ministry of National Defense of Turkey will determine the exact location of the Russian S-400 missile systems. He stressed that the deliveries of the S-400 will be made without delays.

On June 21, it was reported that Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered to Turkey on July 15 this year to be timed to the third anniversary of the military coup attempt.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu previously said that the US and NATO specialists may visit Turkey and make sure that the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems do not pose a threat to NATO.

"Despite the US urges Turkey to abandon the purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, they do not give a guarantee that they will sell us Patriot air defense systems," he added.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated that the US believes that Turkey would not be able to have both US F-35 fighter-bombers and Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems at the same time, as this is technically impossible. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey may receive the S-400 missile systems in July 2019, which is earlier than scheduled. He stressed that despite appeals from the US, Turkey will not abandon the purchase of the S-400.

Initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the supply of S-400 appeared in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on September 12, 2017.

As stated in December 2017 by Sergei Chemezov, Director General of Rostech (a Russian state-run hi-tech corporation), the contract cost is 2.5 billion US dollars.

Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems would be deployed from October 2019.

Turkey is the first NATO member state to receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia.