Ex-General Explains Why Russian S-400 is Better For Turkey Than Patriots

The US is sending the deputy assistant secretary from the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs to Turkey in order to offer the country to buy its Patriot missile defense system instead of the Russian S-400. Sputnik Turkey interviewed former Major-General of the Turkish Air Force Beyazıt Karatash on the matter.
Sputnik

Beyazıt Karatash doesn't take the US offer for Turkey to buy Patriot missile systems seriously and claims that the main goal of such an offer is to interfere with the Turkish deal with Russia. According to him, there are lobbies in Turkey that advocate buying US systems and thus such suggestions will be surfacing in the future, but noted that the Turkish president, defense minister and foreign minister have stressed their adherence to the deal with Russia.

Karatash further added that the S-400's efficiency is greater than that of the Patriot system. According to him, the main argument "for" the US defense system is its compatibility with other NATO systems, but it's a small consolation for buying "unfit" weaponry.

READ MORE: S-400 No More: Turkey to Discuss Purchase of Patriot System With US

He also mentioned another significant drawback. Unless his country fully controls the system it possesses, plotters could be able to conduct airstrikes whenever they want, as they did on July 15, 2016. He is adamant that the coup was a CIA plot and thus it is unacceptable to buy defense systems from the US, otherwise Turkey will be exposed. According to the former general, the S-400 does not have this drawback.

"Buying the S-400 instead of the Patriot will provide Turkey with not only technological, but also political advantages in case the situation repeats itself," Beyazıt Karatash said.

READ MORE: 'Get out of Here, Tillerson!': Turkey "Glad-Hands" US Secretary of State

He also noted that sticking to the Turkish-Russian agreement will strengthen Turkey's image as a reliable partner, whilst violating it will tarnish it as untrustworthy.

Information about the future negotiations between Turkey and the US on buying Patriots instead of Russian S-400 systems recently surfaced in Turkish media. The news comes almost a week after a group of US lawmakers suggested punishing countries buying S-400 air defense systems from Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.

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