Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Director Dmitry Shugaev said on Thursday that all decisions regarding the deliveries of Russia’s S-400 missile air defense systems to Turkey correspond with Moscow’s geopolitical and strategic interests.
According to the Sputnik English website, Shugaev told reporters on Thursday, commenting on the current situation in Russia-Turkey talks on the S-400 defense systems, that foreign customers will be receiving S-400 air defense systems adapted to the armed forces of each respective country.
On Tuesday, Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport’s Director General Alexander Mikheev said the contract for the delivery of an S-400 system to Turkey was close to being signed.
On Aug. 1, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said 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.