"Deployment of the S-400 will begin in October, the air force is studying in which regions it is better to install them," Hulusi Akar said.
READ MORE: Turkey May Let Russia's S-400 Destroy US' F-35 Project ‘From Within' — Report
The head of the military department also reiterated that the acquisition of the Russian defence systems was "not a preference for Turkey, but a necessary measure." In addition, he added that Ankara and Washington "are continuing negotiations on the possible supply of the US Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to the republic."
Recently, US State Department spokesperson warned that Turkey may be slapped with secondary sanctions and lose access to the F-35 fighter plane if it went ahead with its plans to purchase the S-400.
Russia and Turkey penned a $2.5-billion contract on four battalions of S-400s in December 2017, with the first of the systems set to arrive later this year. Designed to stop enemy aircraft, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, the S-400 is the most advanced mobile air defence system in Moscow's arsenal.
