Turkey says its S-400 air defense system ready for use

The S-400 air defense system that Turkey bought from Russia is ready for action and will be used if the country is threatened, TASS reported on Tuesday, citing Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

"The S-400 system is ready for use. If any threats arise, we will decide where and how to use it," he said, the A-Haber television channel reported.

Turkey has bought four S-400 air defense units from Russia valued at $2.5 billion. The Rosoboronexport agency for arms exports said in October 2019 that the contract had been fulfilled.

Following that deal the US removed Turkey from the program to produce F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets.