Russia begins delivery of second S-400 battery to Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s defense ministry says Russia has begun delivering the second battery of its S-400 missile defense system that has strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

Turkey took delivery of the first battery of the Russian-made system last month, despite strong objections from its NATO ally, the United States.

Washington says the Russian system is incompatible with NATO and poses a threat to the US-led F-35 fighter jet program. It suspended Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program and has threatened sanctions against Ankara.

The Turkish defense ministry says in a statement posted on Twitter that the shipment resumed today as Turkish media reported that a Russian cargo plane landed at an air base near Ankara.

— AP

S-400 Uzun Menzilli Bölge Hava ve Füze Savunma Sisteminin ikinci batarya malzemelerinin Mürted Hava Meydanı/Ankara’ya intikaline bugün itibariyle başlandı. İntikal faaliyeti takriben bir ay sürecektir.https://t.co/qI5fgYD2AY#MSB #TSK pic.twitter.com/ZZ4bQ36seQ

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) August 27, 2019