Turkey Seeks to Secure Its Skies With Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems

[Zarvan]

The Turkish defense minister said Ankara was in talks with Moscow on the procurement of Russian S-400 air defense systems.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — Turkey is in talks with Russia on the purchase of S-400 missile systems, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Friday.

"As for missile defense, work is continuing. We are negotiating on S-400 not only with Russia, but with other countries that have similar systems. Russia's position on this issue now is positive," Isik said in an interview with Turkey's NTV broadcaster.


Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said last month that Moscow and Anakara had agreed to work out the details of a possible cooperation on implementing the Turkish national missile defense system project.



"We hope that NATO member states would take this seriously, and our system will be compatible with the alliance's requirements. But we do not in any way reject the Russian proposal, and are actively working on it. Our ultimate goal is to manufacture these systems at home," Isik said.

Turkey canceled last November its $4-billion tender for the procurement of components for a domestic missile defense system announced in 2009.

The S-400 is Russia's next-generation air defense system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range. The weapon is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistics and cruise missiles.

Last year, Saudi Arabia indicated its interest in buying S-400s during an air show in Dubai. Sergei Chemezov, the head of Russia's Rostec corporation, has said that Russia could also supply China with air defense systems in a couple of years.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201611181047574386-turkey-russia-s-400/

 

[Baybars Han]

If this is any way going to stop or delay production of indigenous air defense, I hope we dont buy them.

 

[usernameless]

"We hope that NATO member states would take this seriously, and our system will be compatible with the alliance's requirements. But we do not in any way reject the Russian proposal, and are actively working on it. Our ultimate goal is to manufacture these systems at home," Isik said.

So it seems our officials are still trying to get a better deal from nato system suppliers by threatening to buy a Russian system after the Chinese deal didn't go anywhere. If in the meantime work on the domestic system is continuing, fine, but how long more is this whole process going to take? the region isn't waiting for us after all.

 

[kartal1]

I think we must buy a long range air defence system and if we can go for the S400 this is good. The region is full of conflicts and war we know about the tensions with the border countries we have and we cant wait for 10 years for a domestic long range air defence system. We need it fast. We must buy it now and at the same time examine the technology and continue the work over the domestic system. I think this is the right choice. WTF Greece have long range air defence.

 

[era_shield]

I think we must buy a long range air defence system and if we can go for the S400 this is good. The region is full of conflicts and war we know about the tensions with the border countries we have and we cant wait for 10 years for a domestic long range air defence system. We need it fast. We must buy it now and at the same time examine the technology and continue the work over the domestic system. I think this is the right choice. WTF Greece have long range air defence.

Problem with this is Russia would happily sell or trade the back door information for the system to our potential enemy during a future war. They did this in 2008 during the Georgia-South Ossetia war - Russia gave Israel back door information about Russian-made Iranian or Syrian missile systems in return for Israel giving Russia back door access to Israeli-made Georgian drones.

 

[kartal1]

Problem with this is Russia would happily sell or trade the back door information for the system to our potential enemy during a future war. They did this in 2008 during the Georgia-South Ossetia war - Russia gave Israel back door information about Russian-made Iranian or Syrian missile systems in return for Israel giving Russia back door access to Israeli-made Georgian drones.

Also after examination Turkey can do the same... BTW Turkey is not so dumb Russia is not dumb to the two sides know very well if deal like this becomes true what are the positives and what the negatives. I have trust in our people.

 

[Hassan Guy]

And NATO is cool with that?

Ok.

 

[brokk]

The success rate of S-400 (S-300PMU-3) or the older S-300 is 70-90%, compare that to the MIM-104 series which has been proven to be utterly useless (by multiple countries) as they have a real success rate of 0 to 10%. I their latest version name PAAC-4 should explain it all, sort of buy 3 get one free. "Patriot Advanced Affordable Capability - 4" . (THAAD & MEADS are also lacking seriously.)

Actually this S-400 deal will be interesting to watch, as it will also explain a lot which way Turkey will go, and if it really is going towards Asia or staying with its Atlanticist friends.

The plus side to Turkey, will be a off-the-shelf working system to defend the country (from 'friend' or foe) until its own indigenous systems are developed. I'm not sure on technology transfer, but if there is such a thing then the benefits will be even greater.

As for NATO, or EU, well I really don't think that Turkey should be even asking them permission to protect their own country.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well Turkey's own Missile program is quite impressive

But I can see how Russian - Trade partnership (Oil etc ) would be great for both countries
In all Honesty Egypt-Turkey have been beefing up their own National Defences

Diversifying their military assets

I personally can't really tell as dynamics of the region has shifted greatly since the political coup attempt in Turkey

 

[AUz]

Turkey should focus on indigenous capabilities and transfer of technology with all the deals. Turkey should not get side tracked in regards to indigenous industrial capabilities in regards to defense production

 

[Oublious]

Fake news.