Turkey says S-400s ready to use if needed

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Russian S-400 systems are ready to use if any threats arise.

“The S-400s are in place and ready to use,” Akar said on Tuesday, in response to Turkish lawmakers’ questions over the Russian defence systems in a parliamentary commission meeting in capital Ankara.

“If any threats arise, we will decide in which location the defence would be and transfer them,” Akar said.

"We don't have any problems regarding the S-400s," he said.

Turkey in 2019 acquired Russian-made S-400 air defence systems, prompting strong condemnation from the United States and the NATO.

In response to Turkey’s purchase, Washington excluded Ankara from a F-35 fifth generation fighter jet development programme and imposed sanctions on its defence industry.

The US says the S-400s are incompatible with NATO equipment and poses a threat to the security of NATO’s technology. Washington also says that the purchase is inconsistent with Turkey's commitments as a NATO ally and repeatedly warns Ankara for not using the weaponry.