Turkey continues receiving Russian S-400 air defense parts

Turkey on Saturday continued receiving components of a Russian-made air defense system, despite Washington's warnings that it will impose sanctions on the NATO-member country. Turkey's defense ministry tweeted the landing of a fourth Russian cargo plane in Murted Air Base, near the capital, Ankara. On Friday, the ministry announced the much-awaited delivery of S-400 components had begun.

The United States has repeatedly warned it will impose economic sanctions and kick Turkey out of the F-35 stealth fighter jet program if Ankara does not drop its S-400 purchase. Turkey has refused to bow to US pressure, saying its defense purchase is a matter of national sovereignty. The US administration was publicly silent Friday on how it would respond to the delivery, with the Pentagon postponing a news conference.

Acting US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke by phone. While the Pentagon declined to discuss the call, the Turkish ministry released a statement late Friday, saying Akar stressed that the purchase of S-400 defense systems "was not an option but rather a necessity" due to Turkey's security concerns. The statement said there was no change in Turkey's "strategic orientation," adding that a deterioration in relations would not serve the interests of Turkey, the US or NATO.

The minister also emphasized Turkey's commitment to the F-35 program and repeated a proposal for a joint working group to study how the S-400 system would interact with the fighter jets. The US is concerned the S-400 could be used to gather data on F-35 capabilities if Turkey has both.

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