Russia, Turkey launch cooperation for joint production of S-400 components

Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport has announced that it is collaborating with Turkey for the technology transfer and local production of S-400 missile systems.

Monday November 15 2021 10:57 pm

Duvar English

Alexander Mikheyev, head of the state arms seller Rosoboronexport, has said that some of the components of Russian-made S-400 missile systems will be produced in Turkey, reported Sputnik's Turkish service.

“We've started to collaborate with Turkey with regards to technology (transfer) concerning S-400s. We are localizing some components (and their production); we have started the works in this issue,” Mikheyev reportedly said during the Dubai Airshow 2021 on Nov. 15.

Miheyev recalled that apart from the procurement of S-400s, the agreement signed with Turkey includes the production of some of the components of the S-400s in the country.

He did not disclose which of the components of the defense systems the agreement covered.

Miheyev was also asked if a new contract will be signed to supply Ankara with additional S-400 units and if this new contract will include technology transfer or not. In response, Miheyev said that the company bases all of its decisions on “agreements between governments.”

“Rosoboronexport is ready to improve its ties with Turkey, including the continuation of cooperation with regards to the S-400 system. We are taking all of our decisions together with our partner. And we base our decisions on agreements between governments.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously said that Turkey is considering buying a second Russian missile system despite strong objections by NATO ally the United States. "In the future, nobody will be able to interfere in terms of what kind of defense systems we acquire, from which country at what level," Erdoğan said during an interview in September.

The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey's Defense Industry Directorate, its chief İsmail Demir and three other employees in December following the country's acquisition of a first batch of S-400s.

Talks continued between Russia and Turkey about the delivery of a second batch, which Washington has repeatedly said would almost certainly trigger new sanctions.