Russia gets ‘advance payment’ from Turkey for S-400

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Moscow has received an “advance payment” from Turkey for the S-400 missile defense system, said Vladimir Kozhin, an aide to the Russian president, on Sept. 29.

“The contract has entered into force, the advance payment was made,” said Kozhin, according to Russia’s official TASS news agency.
The issue of transferring the technology for S-400 production to Ankara has not been discussed yet, he added.

On Sept. 13, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan indicated that Turkey went ahead with the purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system because it was tired of waiting for another supplier.

Erdoğan’s remarks came a day after Kozhin confirmed that a contract had been signed, without giving an exact date.

“I can merely guarantee that all of the decisions made under this contract strictly agree with our strategic interests,” Kozhin told TASS.
The deal, which is believed to have a value of around $2.5 billion, has caused concern among Turkey’s NATO allies, who say the Russian air defense system is incompatible with NATO systems.

“No one has the right to criticize Russia and Turkey for military-technical cooperation, which is carried out in strict accordance with international law and is not directed against any third countries,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin, defending Turkey’s purchase of the S-400.

On Sept. 25, Turkish Defense Industry Undersecretary İsmail Demir said the delivery of the missile system would begin within two years.
In recent years, Turkey has sought to build its domestic defense industry to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.