Missiles

Turkey is not moving away from NATO by purchasing Russian S-400 missiles, according to Turkey's defense minister.

Spain on June 17 approved an extension of six months on the deployment of its Patriot air defense missiles in Turkey.

Turkey will never retreat on its deal to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems, the country's foreign minister said on June 14.

The United States has not moved to create a joint working group to assess its concerns regarding Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense systems, the head of the Turkish Defense Industries Directorate said on June 10.

Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system creates "unacceptable risks" for the U.S., a Department of Defense official said on June 6.

The US has deployed the anti-ballistic missile THAAD system at the military base of Deveselu in southern Romania.

It is the first time that this advanced anti-ballistic missile system has been deployed anywhere in Europe under NATO command.

Turkey's defense minister on May 27 denied claims the U.S. gave Turkey a deadline to reconsider buying the S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia.       

The U.S. has yet to respond to Turkey's proposed working group to address concerns about the Russian S-400 missile defense system, a Turkish deputy foreign minister said on May 22.         

Turkish military personnel in charge of operating S-400 missile defense systems are set to arrive in Russia at the end of May, a Russian military source has said.

Ankara is digging in its heels on the procurement of super-advanced Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and has declared that it is determined to go ahead with the receipt of the first batch in July and that the system will be used to shield the Aegean and several other areas.