(Ankara) In something of a publicity coup , the Russians have managed to get the Turkish government to purchase its S400 missile system , mind you the offer of a loan in which to do so will certainly help.
The S400 entered service in April 2007 and was deployed in
combat in August 2007. A typical S-400 battalion consists of at least eight
launchers with 32 missiles and a mobile command post. The system can engage all
types of aerial targets, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and
ballistic and cruise missiles within the range of 400 kilometres (249 miles), up
to an altitude of 30 kilometres. The S-400 systems are capable of firing three
types of missiles to create a layered defence, and can be deployed within five
minutes, while simultaneously engaging 36 targets.
As a member of NATO, Turkey's procurement of the Russian
S-400 system has raised concerns regarding the compatibility and integration of
these weapons into the NATO. defence infrastructure. Defence Minister Fikri
Işık clarified last week that Turkey will use the Russian systems without
integration, stating:
''Russia's S-400 missile systems will not be integrated into the N.A.T.O. system.''
Minister Işık stated that the uncompromising attitude of
N.A.T.O.-member countries compelled Turkey to purchasing Russia's S-400 missile
defence system.
"We underwent negotiations to purchase N.A.T.O.-produced missile systems, but we could not get a reasonable offer in terms of price and technology transfer. Thus, our negotiations with the Russians have intensified,"No doubt the recent revelation that Germany has refused to sell weapons to fellow NATO member Turkey helped them knock on Moscow's door.
