Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the delivery of a second batch of Russian S-400 air defense system equipment is expected to start on Tuesday, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
“Our aim is to protect our country and nation from air and missile threats that come from outside,” Akar said during an inspection of troops in eastern Erzincan province
The first delivery S-400 equipment to Mürted Air Base in Ankara was completed on July 25.
The delivery of S-400 components began on July 12 and is set to continue through April 2020.
Turkey and the US have been at odds over the S-400 purchase, with Washington claiming incompatibility with NATO systems and threatening sanctions, while Ankara denies problems will arise with Western-made weapons.
