Turkey has been developing stand-alone software to control imported missile systems without jeopardising its sovereign rights, Ismail Demir, head of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), said in a meeting with representatives of local dailies on 7 January.
Demir reiterated that Turkey would go ahead with the purchase of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) battery under a USD2.5 billion deal, which includes an option for a second one, despite strong US opposition. Turkey will begin deploying S-400s in October.
Demir was confident Turkey would receive the first four of 100 F-35s in the autumn, despite US warning that Turkey risks expulsion from the US-led F-35 programme if it takes delivery of S-400s.