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Despite European protection offers, Turkey still wants S-400

Turkey is unlikely to be swayed from buying Russian S-400 missile defense systems, even if some European countries continue their defense of Turkish air space.
A view shows a new S-400 "Triumph" surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk near Kaliningrad, Russia March 11, 2019. Picture taken March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vitaly Nevar - RC11938EDE40

Ankara's move to purchase the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system has been wreaking havoc on its ties with Washington and will also affect its defense relations with European countries, particularly concerning the fate of Italian and Spanish batteries deployed in Turkey.

Turkey’s need for medium-range air defense systems has risen seriously with increased missile and rocket firings by Syria since 2014. In 2013, NATO had deployed Patriot air defense systems of the United States, Germany and the Netherlands close to the Turkey-Syria border to defend Turkish air space.

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