Turkey activates certain elements of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems

The process of deploying S-400s continues, according to the head of Turkey’s Defense Industry

8 May, 2020

ANKARA, May 8. /TASS/. Turkey continues deploying Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and has activated their certain elements, Head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Ismail Demir said on Friday.

“The process of deploying S-400s continues and certain systems have been put into operation,” the newspaper Milliyet quoted him as saying.

Russia won’t have ‘the desired access’ to the S-400 systems deployed in Turkey, Demir said.

“Although the agreement on the deliveries includes provisions on the training [of the Turkish personnel], technical maintenance and technical support, the Russian personnel will not be able to get the desired access to S-400 batteries,” Turkey’s defense industry chief said.

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on April 30 that the process of deploying S-400 air defense missile systems in the country was being delayed over the coronavirus pandemic. He said, however, that “this process will be continued in accordance with the plans.”

Read more at https://tass.com/defense/1154327