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Turkey ready to consider future purchases of S-500 missile systems from Russia — president

Erdogan said last July that he suggested joint production of S-500 systems to Russian President Vladimir Putin
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan  AP Photo/Ali Unal
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
© AP Photo/Ali Unal

ANKARA, March 7. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his country was ready to consider the issue of purchasing S-500 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia in future.

In an interview with 24 TV, the Turkish leader also said that the contract with Moscow to purchase S-400 missile systems was "a done deal."

"The S-400 issue is a done deal, and we will not reject it under any circumstances. We have come to an agreement with Russia, and there will possibly be a joint production. Maybe we will consider S-500 options after the S-400 deal."

Erdogan said last July that he suggested joint production of S-500 systems to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He, however, did not elaborate on the Russian president’s response.

The S-500 system was designed to replace S-400. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier said that Russian armed forces would start receiving S-500 systems in 2020.

US Department of State deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said earlier this week that Washington had "clearly warned Turkey that its potential acquisition of the S-400 will result in a reassessment of Turkey's participation in the F-35 programme, and risk other potential future arms transfers to Turkey." He also said that the S-400 deal may result in US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).