ANKARA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A principle agreement has been reached with Russia on the supply of the second batch of Russian made S-400 air defense system and talks continue for technical details, Turkey's Defense Industries Chair Ismail Demir said on Monday.
"We have a principle agreement on the supply of the second system. We are talking about technical details. There is no question mark about supply," he told NTV broadcaster.
The second phase of the purchase includes certain joint production and technology transfers, based on the agreement, he said.
The official also said the activation process of the defense system was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The official added that talks with the United States for the procurement of Patriot air defense system have not been matured.
"We are open to the offers of Patriot and Eurosam. We would like to continue to work on these projects if there are concrete proposals. The process of Patriots have not been matured," he said.
Turkey signed a contract with Russia in 2017 to purchase the S-400 system.
The first batch of S-400 defense system was delivered from Russia to Turkey in July, 2019.
Tensions between the United States and Turkey have escalated over the deal, as Washington claimed that the S-400 system would be incompatible with the NATO system and may expose its confidential military information to Russia.
Washington has halted the delivery of F-35 fighters to Turkey as Ankara went ahead with the delivery of the S-400s. Enditem
