Russian State-Owned Rostec: "S-400 Purchased by Turkey Does Not Threaten NATO Security"

"S-400 is a defensive weapon, cannot be used for attack"
"Missile defense system components will be produced within Turkey"

[Image source=Russian Ministry of Defense website]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Rostec, the Russian state-owned defense company, stated that the S-400 missile defense system purchased by Turkey cannot compromise the security of NATO countries. Rostec emphasized that the S-400 is a defensive weapon that cannot be used offensively, and the missile defense system is not linked with Russia, with most of the components being produced domestically by Turkey. This statement is interpreted as a response to the pressure from the United States and the European Union (EU), who warned that Turkey's purchase of the S-400 could lead to NATO military secrets leaking to Russia.

According to foreign media including TASS on the 24th (local time), Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, said in an interview with Russia's RT channel, "The S-400 is purely a defensive weapon and cannot be used offensively, so it will not affect the security of NATO member countries other than Turkey." He added, "Also, according to the contract with Turkey, the components used in the missile defense system are planned to be domestically produced," explaining that there will be no leakage of secrets to Russia as feared by the US and EU countries.

Regarding concerns about the proliferation of advanced weapons due to technology transfer to Turkey, he stated, "Turkey does not seem to have the capability to produce such cutting-edge equipment independently to transfer technology to third countries," emphasizing, "There will be nothing that NATO member countries need to worry about."

Previously, Turkey signed a delivery contract for the S-400 missile defense system from Russia in 2017. Prior to this, Turkey had signed a purchase contract for the F-35 fighter jets with the United States and participated in the F-35 development program. The US pressured Turkey to withdraw the S-400 acquisition, warning that operating the S-400 and F-35 fighter jets simultaneously could lead to advanced technology of the F-35 and NATO military secrets leaking to Russia.