Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said on Monday that Ankara procuring an S-400 anti-missile system from Russia concerns the Pentagon.
“Our only concern about it is one of interoperability. Turkey is a NATO ally. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea for allies to buy interoperable equipment,” said Davis, expressing Pentagon concerns about the damage Russian-made systems could cause to US joint operations with NATO ally Turkey.
According to an agreement between Turkey and Russia last month, Russia will provide Turkey with four S-400 missile interceptor batteries over the next year.
“What’s being reported here is obviously not interoperable and that obviously is a concern, but it is a Turkish decision,” Capt. Davis told reporters at the Pentagon.
Pentagon officials said their concern is about the potential of confusion on the battlefield between Ankara and alliance members due to the use of Russian systems by a NATO ally.