Russia plans to deliver another batch of S-400 systems to Turkey

Duvar English 

Russia plans to deliver another batch of S-400 missile systems to Turkey, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Greek television channel ANT1, TASS reported on Dec. 9. 

When asked whether Russia plans to provide another batch of S-400 system to Turkey, Peskov said, "We have a certain understanding with our Turkish partners, and we hope so. We hope so, yes."

The television anchor asked Peskov what Moscow’s specific interest was in providing Turkey with S-400 missile systems despite the U.S. sanctions.

"We all know that the United States likes to play this game of sanctions, although we know an understanding they [have] never reached their goals. They have never managed to make a single country change their point of view. But our policy is to be open for cooperation with various countries, especially our partners. This kind of cooperation between Russia and Turkey should not be a threat for any country, especially for Greece, because the system is not offensive, it is defensive. 100% defensive," he said.

Moscow and Ankara inked a deal in 2017 on the delivery of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system to Turkey, thereby making it the first NATO member to purchase this air defense missile system from Russia.

In July 2021, Alexander Mikheyev, CEO of Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport (part of the state tech corporation Rostec), told reporters at the MAKS-2021 air show that Rosoboronexport would develop a project to deliver an additional batch of the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to Turkey in the coming months. According to Mikheyev, the project is expected to be finished in the coming months. He pointed out at that time that "final consultations are underway, a financial model has been put together, as well as a program for technical cooperation on the project."