By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkey and Russia will start joint production of the S-400 air defense missile system.

This was stated by the ,  reported .

?here are no problems concerning the acquisition of the S-400 system between Moscow and Ankara? Turkish media outlets quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 13.

Erdogan underlined that Turkey has the right to self-defense, and no country in the world has the right to tell it what to do.

The S-400 is Russia's next-generation air defense system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range. The weapon is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistics and cruise missiles.

Reportedly in July 2017, Turkey reached an agreement with Russia to purchase the S-400. Under the $2.5 billion agreement Ankara would receive two batteries of the antiaircraft missile from Moscow within the upcoming year and then produce two more batteries in Turkey

Putin earlier stated the issue of production localization in Turkey will depend on the readiness of the industry of this country.

The deal on S-400 raised eyebrows among Ankara’s fellow NATO members and caused concerns as they are supposed to only buy compatible weapons systems from other members. 

Turkish leader previously said in an interview with the American PBS TV channel that despite negotiations with NATO member states regarding the acquisition of an air defense system, none of the alliance members provided Turkey with such an opportunity.

He noted that Turkey must ensure its own security and based on this, it was decided to acquire Russian S-400 air defense system.

Turkey has the second-largest military force in NATO, after the U.S., but ties among the NATO allies have worsened last July after a failed coup attempt. Relations further deteriorated following an April referendum which expanded the powers of the president. 

Ankara also objects to some NATO members’ military support for Syrian Kurdish rebels, who are linked to PKK terrorists.