Turkey gets second S-400 battery, plans to activate in 2020

Turkey's defense ministry says Russia has completed delivery of components for a second battery of the S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system to an airbase in the Turkish capital.

In a statement Sunday, the ministry said it plans to activate the system in April 2020.

A handout photograph taken on July 12, 2019 by the Turkish Defence Ministry shows a Russian military cargo plane, carrying S-400 missile defense system from Russia, during its unloading at the Murted military airbase in Ankara. [Photo: AFP]

Turkey went ahead with the purchase of the Russian-made system despite strong objections from its NATO ally the United States.

Washington says the missiles are incompatible with the NATO system and pose a threat to the U.S.-led F-35 stealth fighter jet program. It suspended Turkey's participation in the F-35 program and has also threatened sanctions against Ankara.

Russia delivered first S-400 battery to Murted Air Base in Ankara in July. Shipments resumed in late August.