ANKARA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Russia will deliver first batch of S-400 anti-missile defense system batteries to Turkey in late 2019, Turkish Foreign Minister said on Wednesday.
Western allies should not question about Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense system, Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Brussels ahead of a NATO Summit.
"New batteries will arrive towards the end of next year," Cavusoglu said. "Finally, there is no need to question this anymore."
"Not only the United States, but some other NATO allies also express concerns about the deal," the minister said, adding that Ankara understands their technical worries such as "if S-400 systems will detect NATO systems as a foe."
"We have already been sensitive about the issue. We have set forth our conditions during the process of purchase," he said.
Last December, Turkey and Russia finalized a deal to supply Ankara with two batches of S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries. This April, both parties agreed on early delivery of the systems.
Turkey will be the first NATO member to acquire the Russian system.
