Turkey says it has already bought Russian S-400 defence systems

Turkey says it has already bought Russian S-400 defence systems
Turkey says it has already bought Russian S-400 defence systems

Turkey has already purchased S-400 defence systems from Russia and hopes they will be delivered in July, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, an announcement likely to ratchet up tensions with NATO ally Washington.

Turkey and the United States havesparred publicly for months over Ankara's order for the S-400s, which are notcompatible with NATO's systems.

"Turkey has already boughtS-400 defence systems. It is a done deal. I hope these systems will bedelivered to our country next month," Erdogan said.

U.S. acting Secretary of DefensePatrick Shanahan outlined last week how Turkey would be pulled out of the F-35fighter jet programme unless Ankara changed course from its plans to purchasethe S-400 missile defence system.

Turkey has criticised the letterfrom Washington and said it did not live up to the spirit of the NATO alliance.It is working on a response to be sent in the coming days, according to TurkishDefence Minister Hulusi Akar.

The United States says Turkey'sacquisition of the Russian system poses a threat to Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35stealth fighters, and has warned of potential U.S. sanctions if Ankara presseson with the deal.

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