By Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s national defense minister said on Wednesday that Russia’s first delivery of an air defense system to Turkey is expected in 2019.
Turkey and Russia have signed deals for two S-400 air-defense systems, with one of them optional, Nurettin Canikli told parliament's Planning and Budget Committee.
The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced long-range anti-aircraft missile system and can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
"The first delivery of the S-400 air-defense systems is planned to be accomplished in 2019," said Canikli.
The system can track and engage up to 300 targets at a time and has an altitude ceiling of 27 kilometers (17 miles).