Russia agreed to transfer technology along with S-400 missile systems: Presidential spokesperson

ANKARA

Russia has agreed to transfer the technology of S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems, and it constitutes the most advantageous aspect of the deal between the two countries, Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has said, informing that the agreement between the two states will soon be concluded. 

“One of our most important gains [by the purchase of] S-400 [missiles] won’t only meet Turkey’s security needs but also will bring about the transfer of this technology. This [aspect] has been put very openly in our agreement with Russians and in talks held by our president with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Kalın told private broadcaster Habertürk TV in an interview late July 27.
 
“And Russians said ‘alright’ to this,” he added.  

Turkey and Russia have been negotiating for the former’s purchase of high-tech S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems after the Turkish government was disappointed at its NATO allies for rejecting know-how of the similar systems they wanted to sell to Turkey. The United States issued concerns over Turkey’s bid to purchase a Russian defense system while NATO underlined that the S-400s will not be interoperable with NATO’s overall anti-ballistic defense system. 

Kalın, however, stressed that this should not be seen only as a purchase of military equipment but the beginning of a transformation of the Turkish defense industry with the transfer of such sophisticated anti-missile system. 

“We are at a very good point in terms of [the deal on] S-400s and it’s expected that it will soon be finalized. And the argument that this system cannot be integrated into the NATO system is not correct,” he said, adding that there were only a few minor issues left to be accomplished with regards to the agreement, but the core of it had been agreed. 

Kalın expressed Ankara’s disappointment with its allies’ refusal to share technology about the missile systems they wanted to sell to Turkey, saying, “The model they suggested stipulates Turkey’s eternal dependence on them.”